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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/richmondvirginia01fire 


S.  A.  L.  Qa/t-oU/w 


z/, 


m 

...Between... 

m 


A 

▼ 


1 

▼ 


▲ 

▼ 


BOSTON,  NEW  YORK, 
PHILADELPHIA,  BALTIMORE, 
WASHINGTON,  RICHMOND, 
NORFOLK,  PORTSMOUTH. 


A 

▼ 


Ar,r>  M1T~ 

ATLANTA,  MONTGOMERY, 

MOBILE,  NEW  ORLEANS, 
CHATTANOOGA,  NASHVILLE, 
MEMPHIS,  MACON,  JACKSONVILLE, 

™ “ THE  ATLANTA  SPECIAL ” 

Solid  ipullman  DeetlbuleO  {Train. 


7.  J.  ANDERSON, 

General  Passenoer  Agent, 

PORTSMOUTH.  VA. 


H.  M.  BOYKIN, 

Passenge  Agent, 

RICHMOND,  VA. 


1 


DAVENPORT  & MORRIS, 

Seventeenth  and  Dock  Streets,  RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA, 

Importers  of  COFFEE  direct  from  Rio  and  Santos;  MOLASSES  from  Cuba  and 
Porto  Rico:  SUGAR,  IRISH  AND  ENGLISH  PORTER,  GUINNESS 
STOUT  BASS  ALE.  Agents  for  J.  & F.  MARTELL’S 
FINE  COGNAC  BRANDY,  and  CAR- 
ENOU  & TUB,,  of  Zaragosa, 

Spain, 

iFINEST  LICORICE  PHSTE  «■ 


Also  Distillers’  Agents  for  FULCHER,  BESORE,  WYSOR,  PHIL.  BAKER,  JACOB 
GROVER,  SUMMER’S  NELSON  COUNTY  KENTUCKY  FINE  RYE 
WHISKIES,  and 


particular  attention  fl>ait>  to  jfilling  ©rfcers. 


To 

Get  to  a 
Fire 

Quickly  ! 

Your  Horses  must  be  well  shod. 
We  make  the  best  Shoes  iu  the 
world  for  that  purpose.  Write  to 
or  call  on  us  for  particulars. 


xOld  + Dominion  + Iron  * and  + Nail  + Worksx 

ARTHUR  B.  CLARKE,  PRESIDENT. 


RICHMOND, 


VIRGIN1H. 


Progressive  Endowment  Guild  of  America. 

A MODEL  BENEFICIAL  ORGANIZATION. 

$500  to  $5,000  in  ten  years,  or  previous,  in  case  of  death. 

$2.50  to  $25.00  per  week  in  case  of  sickness  or  accident. 

BENEFICIAL , RELIABLE , BUSINESS-LIKE. 
Headquarters:  Richmond,  Va. 

JAMES  LYONS, 

Httorne?  at  Haw  anb  IRotav^  flbubltc, 

5 State  Bank:  Building, 

RICHMOND,  VA. 

JAMES  MCDONOUGH  i CO., 

First-Class  Carriages,  Buggies,  and  Horses.  Excellent  Accommodations 
for  Horses  and  Vehicles.  All  Kinds  of  Vehicles  Made  to  Order. 
Orders  Filled  at  all  Hours. 

Nos.  5 to  15  N.  Eighteenth  Street, 

Between  Main  and  Franklin,  RICHMOND,  VA. 

TELEPHONE  NO.  301. 

WIRT  E.  TAYLOR  & CO., 

Wloteld  Fancy  Grocers  ail  KanuMnring  Confectioners, 

Nos.  I I OO-  i I 02  East  Cary  Street, 
RICHMOND,  VA. 

Cigars  and  Tobacco  a Specialty. 


3 


Tobacconists'  Supplies. 


Mailer  tCa^lor  & Son, 

aabolcsale  anb  iRctail  Sealers  in 

jflonr,  <$rain,  'ID 'iv  ani>  /Ibill*3fee6 

©f  all  Ifcinfcs, 


{Telephone  855. 


Bo.  109  1R.  Eighteenth  Street. 


FRANKLIN  DAVIS,  President.  EDWIN  DAVIS,  Vice-President. 
HOWARD  DAVIS,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Franklin  Davis  Nursery  Ge., 

(INCORPORATED) 

RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA, 

The  Oldest  and  Largest—"  

KNURSERIES  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


500  acres  in  IHurseries. 


100  acres  in  ©rebarbs. 


100  acres  in  Small  ffruits. 


©reatest  Darietp  of  Stock. 


aillHew  madefies  of  /Iberit. 


FRUIT,  ORNAMENTAL  AND  SHADE  TREES,  SHRUBS,  EVERGREENS,  ROSES  AND  VINES. 

ALL  STOCK  GUARANTEED  TO  BE  TRUE  TO  NAME. 

FRANKLIN  DAVIS  NURSERY  CO. 


Brands : 

orchilla 

NATIONAL. 

CAPITAL. 

B.  B.  B. 


W.  TRAVIS  ^ C°-’ 

MANUFACTURERS  fERT\L\Z£^' 


5.000  Tons  Acid  Phosphate  lor  Sale.  RICHMOND,  VA. 


USE  KINGAN’S^ 

‘ RELIABLE”  HAMS. 

KINGAN  S CO., 


PORK  «s»  BEEF  PACKERS. 


RICHMOND.  VIRGINIA. 


FIRE  SHUTTERS  AND  ZDOOIRS. 

P.  SITTDRDINS, 

MANUFACTURER  OF 


Frames,  Sash,  Doors,  Blinds,  Mouldings,  Mantels . 
FINE  INTERIOR  FINISH. 


BUILDERS’  MATERIAL. 


IAIN  OFFICE : Shoe  anti  Planing  Ml,  St.  lames  from  Lelgl  to  Jackson. \ Riphmnnd  Va 
BRANCH  YARDS : I oibamy  and  Leigh,  with  R.  R.  Connections.  J uiiumuiiu’  * a' 

ROTHERT  & CO., 

DEALERS  IN 

Fiirniture,  Earpets,  Steves, 

REFRIGERATORS  AND  BABY  CARRIAGES. 

505  E.  Broad  Street,  - Richmond,  Va. 

THE  P.  H.  MAYO  & BROTHER, 

(INCORPORATED) 

RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA,  U.  S.  A., 

MANUFACTURERS  OF 

Fine  Chewing  and  Smoking  Tobaccos. 

NAVIES  A SPECIALTY. 

UNITED  STATES,  CITY,  AND  STATE  DEPOSITORY. 

fllbercbants  IRational  IBnnh, 

RICHMOND,  yiRGINIH. 

CAPITAL,  --------  $200,000. 

Surplus  and  Undivided  Profits,  - ■ 221,000. 


Interest  Alowed  on  Balances  by  Agreement. 

Business  Paper  Discounted  for  Customers  on  Favorable  Terms. 


JOHN  P.  BRANCH,  President.  FRED.  R.  SCOTT,  Vice-President. 

J.  F.  GLENN,  Cashier. 


Cigarette  smokers  who  are  willing  to  pay  a little  more  than  the  price 
charged  for  the  ordinary  trade  cigarettes,  will  find 
this  brand  superior  to  ail  others. 

VIRGINIA  BRIGHTS, 

The  leading  popular  five-cent  package. 

ALLEN  & GINTER  BRANCH, 

The  American  Tobacco  Co., 
Richmond.  Va. 


Also  manufacturers  of  noted  brands  of 


High-Grade  Smoking  Tobaccos, 

VIRGINIA,  TURKISH,  PERIQUE  AND  HAVANA. 


6 


Richmond  Locomotive 

...  and  Machine  Works 

Richmond,  Va. 


BUILDERS  OF 

LOCOMOTIVES. 


Simple  Expansion  and  Compound 


for  every  variety  of  service. 


E.  J.  BOSHER.  C.  G.  BOSHER. 


R.  H.  BOSHER’S  SONS, 


♦ light  AND  EXPRESS  WAGONS  £*>♦♦♦ 


Manufacturers  of  Ibose  Wagons  for  flare  Departments. 


No.  15  S.  9th  STREET.  RICHMOND,  VA. 


8 


JOSEPH  L.  LEVY. 
CHAS.  F.  TAYLOR. 


JOHN  H FRISCH  KORN,  PRES’T. 
G.  WATT  TAYLOR,  Vice-Pres't. 


JAS.  R.  SHEPPARD. 
L.  C JENKINS. 


THE 


RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA, 


Fire  Department, 

ITS 


Organization  and  Equipment, 

WITH  AN 


Account  of  its  Precursors 


From  the  initial  organization  of  “Effective  Friendship”  in  1816. 


PUBLISHED  UNDER  THE  AUSPICES  OF 

The  Firemen’s  Relief  Association, 

RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA. 

MDCCCXCI V. 


IK! 1 1 MONI)  EIRE  DEPARTMENT,  1893. 


PREFATORY. 


3U3 

.1  novt 
F 533 
\3°\L\ 


IN  placing  before  the  public  this  souvenir  of  Richmond’s  Fire  Depart- 
ment, it  is  becoming  that  the  Firemen’s  Relief  Association,  under 
whose  auspices  it  is  issued,  should  briefly  outline  the  causes  leading  to 
their  organization,  what  they  have  accomplished,  and  the  goal  of  final 
attainment  that  beckons  their  fellowship  onward. 

It  would  be  a supererogation  to  either  state  or  attempt  to  analyze  the 
many  difficulties  which  front  the  professional  fire-fighter  when  attempting 
to  procure  security  for  life  or  limb,  wife  or  child,  through  the  medium  of 
any  public  insurance  company.  The  “up-to-date”  financiers  who  man- 
age these  institutions  prefer  risks  less  exposed — clients  safer,  if  less  gallant  ; 
and,  in  consequence,  mark  our  firemen  as  “Extra  hazardous,”  with 
increased  rates,  of  course. 

The  “Bayard”  of  modern  life  insurance  has  yet  to  come,  who  will 
successfully  combine  the  bloodless  mathematics  of  finance  with  a pulsing 
philanthropy  broad  enough  to  shelter  the  brave-hearted  laddie  under 
whose  watchful  care  we  nightly  sleep  serene,  protected  from  the  fire-fiend’s 
hungry  maw. 

In  1891  the  present  Association  was  first  effected.  It  was  nursed  into 
active  existence  by  the  liberality  of  several  business  houses  whose  appre- 
ciation of  the  good  services  rendered  by  the  Department  was  practically 
expressed  by  cash  donations  amounting  to  from  fifty  to  three  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  in  individual  cases.  In  that  year  the  aggregate  of  these  gifts 
reached  the  handsome  total  of  nine  hundred  dollars,  and  with  this  “ nest- 
eee  ” the  members  met  and  formulated  their  code. 

The  Association,  in  addition  to  the  usual  officers — as  president,  vice- 
president,  etc. — is  practically  managed  by  a Board  of  Control,  consisting 
of  the  Chief  and  the  two  Assistant  Chiefs,  who  in  turn  elect  a board  of 
three  trustees,  selected  from  the  personnel  of  the  Association,  in  whose 
hands  is  placed  the  management  and  investment  of  all  funds. 


9 


Each  member  pays  monthly  clues  of  twenty-five  cents,  and  the  resources 
are  further  strengthened  by  the  liberal  action  of  the  Board  of  Fire  Com- 
missioners in  turning  to  the  fund  all  fines  assessed  against  individual 
members  of  the  Department  for  breaches  of  discipline. 

Under  these  fostering  influences  the  fund  now  amounts  to  nearly  thirty- 
four  hundred  dollars,  and  has  already  paid  out,  in  the  form  of  death  and 
sick  benefits,  over  two  thousand  dollars. 

It  is  the  aim  of  the  Association  to  augment  the  resources  of  the  relief 
fund  to  the  self-supporting  point,  when  every  member  of  our  brave  force 
can  feel  assured  of  financial  relief,  in  case  of  accident,  without  tax  of  any 
kind  upon  his  individual  and  meagre  pittance.  To  this  end  is  dedicated 
the  volume  before  you,  and  by  supporting  it,  the  many  friends  of  the  Fire 
Force  can  experience  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  the  benefits  derived 
will  go  to  swell  no  selfish  interest — no  private  fortune  ; but  will  help  to 
buoy  up  the  manly  men  in  whose  kindly  arms  the  forms  of  loved  ones — - 
this  very  night — may  be  borne,  amid  crumbling  walls  and  blazing  rafters, 
from  death  to  life. 

“He’s  worthy  to  wear  the  laurel, 

Worthy  to  write  his  name, 

In  living  letters  of  fire, 

Within  the  Temple  of  Fame. 

“His  loving  heart  does  quick  respond 
To  stroke  of  belfry  bell, 

By  ‘instantaneous  process,’ 

His.  steps  respond  as  well. 

“Time  and  space  to  him  are  naught 
When  he  hears  the  quick  alarm; 

He  leaves  his  cosy  nest  at  home 
To  save  some  nest  from  harm. 

“Nobly  daring  danger 
Amid  the  fiery  wave, 

Risking  precious  human  life 
A human  life  to  save. 


10 


“Climbing  dizzy  heights 

From  tottering  wall  to  dome, 

Risking  precious  human  life 
To  save  some  one  a home. 

“He  has  nobly  won  his  laurels 
On  real  ladders  of  fame, 

He  has  done  a fireman’s  duty 
In  sweet  humanity’s  name. 

“He’s  a hero  that  should  be  honored, 
And  his  deeds  of  daring  told, 

In  flaming  lines  of  living  fire, 

In  flaming  lines  of  gold. 

“We  all  should  render  homage 
To  heroes  of  every  name, 

But  in  the  highest  niche  of  the  Temple 
Place  the  Hero  of  the  Flame.’’ 

Richmond,  Va.,  June  15,  189J 


II 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


By  R.  A.  BROCK. 


RICHMOND  was  laid  off  for  a town  for  Col.  William  Byrd — the 
second  of  the  name  in  Virginia — in  April,  1737,  by  Major  William 
Mayo.* 

It  was  “established”  as  a town  by  act  of  the  Virginia  Assembly  of 
May,  1742. 

Through  the  circumstances  of  the  period,  “environments,”  and  want 
of  such  stimulants,  its  progress,  in  common  with  many  another  embryo 
metropolis,  was  at  an  easy  pace,  but  comfortable,  as  things  went  with  the 
generality. 

As  small  as  may  have  been  the  beginning,  ‘ ‘ alarm  ’ ’ of  fire  must  have 
been  excited,  for  in  September,  1784,  there  was  an  enactment  by  the 
Assembly  1 ‘ to  prevent  the  building  and  repairing  wooden  chimnies  in  the 
town  of  Richmond.  ” 

It  was  incorporated  as  a city  in  1782,  and  under  the  acceleration  of  this 
dignity,  in  1789  the  houses  had  increased  to  300  and  the  inhabitants  to 
2,000,  although  there  had  been  a destructive  fire  on  January  8,  1787, 
which  consumed  “ between  40  and  50  dwellings  and  stores,  with  Byrd’s 
warehouse, f containing  70  hogsheads  of  tobacco.” 

In  1800,  from  the  United  States  census  returns,  the  population  was 
5,730.  The  city  was  then  built  along  Main  street  to  Seventeenth,  which 
was  extended  northerly  ; and  there  were  also  stores  and  warehouses  on 
the  banks  of,  and  on  by-ways  leading  to,  James  river.  Some  of  the  more 
opulent  citizens  had  residences  on  Richmond,  now  commonly  known  as 
Church  Hill. J 

It  may  be  presumed,  that  until  the  regulations  were  concerted  which 
will  be  presently  stated,  that  fighting  the  fury  of  the  devouring  element 
had  hitherto  been  dependent  on  individual  action,  in  exigency. 

* One  of  two  brothers,  Joseph  and  William  Mayo,  progenitors  of  the  worthy 
family  of  the  name. 

f This  warehouse  appears  to  have  been  near  the  present  Exchange  Hotel,  and 
between  it  and  the  river. 

\ So  named  from  the  venerable  St.  John’s  church,  erected  in  1 .40. 


12 


CITY  HALL,  RICHMOND,  VA.  DEPARTMENT  HEADQUARTERS. 


. . . l > 


The  appliances  were  the  family  pails  and  the  wells,  if  distant  from  the 
river  or  the  James  River  and  Kanawha  canal.  It  was  a “ bucket  brigade,” 
with  minor  and  major  variations. 

Through  the  providence  of  the  New  England  Historic-  Getiea/ogical 
Society , Boston,  Mass.,  which  had  preserved  a little  book  (thus  far,  to 
our  citizens,  the  only  known  copy),  this  sketch  is  continued. 

It  is  entitled  “The  Constitution  of  the  Richmond  Fire  Society,  in  ti- 
tuted  April,  1816.  Richmond  : Printed  by  John  Warrock,  1816.”  The 
said  society  was  formed  “for  the  purpose  of  rendering  mutual  assistance 
in  the  hour  of  peril,  and  to  extend  the  influence  of  effective  friendship.” 
The  “regulations”  provide  that  the  society  “ shall  not  consist  of  more 
than  thirty-six  members,  governed  by  a president  and  standing  committee 
of  four  members,  to  be  chosen  by  ‘written  votes.’  ” Omission  of  duty 
by  said  officers  was  punishable  by  a fine  of  fifty  cents  for  each  offence. 
There  was  a secretary,  whose  annual  salary  was  fixed  at  $1-5.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  penalty  above,  this  officer  was  subject  to  a fine  of  $5  upon  the 
close  of  his  official  term  if  he  refused  to  deliver  his  books  to  his  successor. 
The  stated  meetings  were  held  quarterly,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  the 
months  of  January,  April,  July,  and  October. 

No  officer  was  allowed  to  serve  for  a longer  period  than  one  year,  and 
any  member  so  elected  and  refusing  to  serve  was  subject  to  a fine  of  $2. 
Candidates  for  membership  were  balloted  for,  and  it  was  required  that 
five-sixths  of  the  number  of  ballots  cast  should  be  in  their  favor.  Each 
member  was  furnished  with  a book  of  regulations  at  a cost  of  seventy-five 
cents.  He  had  also  to  provide  himself  with  two  buckets,  two  bags,  and  a 
bed  socket-key  ; failing  to  do  so  for  three  months  he  was  subject  to  a fine 
of  $2,  which  was  the  penalty,  also,  of  each  absence  from  a fire.  In  case 
of  a fire  the  owner  of  the  premises  directed  operations  ; in  his  absence 
the  president  of  the  society  had  control. 

Each  member  was  required  to  “keep  corrected”  the  book  of  regula- 
tions, noting  all  changes  of  residence,  &c. 

The  widows  of  deceased  members  were  entitled  to  the  continued  ser- 
vice of  the  society.  The  expenses  of  all  meetings  (which,  doubtless,  were 
of  duly  bounteous  and  social  significance),  were  to  be  paid  by  per  capita 
assessment.  The  rolls  were  called  twice  ; members  absent  at  the  first  call 
were  fined  twenty-five  cents,  and  at  the  second,  fifty  cents. 

Any  member  delinquent  in  dues  for  six  months,  or  who  absented  him- 
self from  the  meetings  and  from  duty  for  one  year,  his  name  was  erased 


from  the  roll.  Any  member  changing'  his  abode  or  business  was  required 
to  notify  the  secretary  within  seven  days  thereafter.  There  were  inspec- 
tions of  membership  outfit,  and  failure  to  attend  the  same  was  punishable 
by  a fine  of  $1.  All  political  and  religious  disputes  were  forbidden  at  the 
meetings  of  the  society,  and  any  member  introducing  such,  and  on  being 
called  to  order,  refusing  to  obey,  was  fined  $5.  The  annual  assessment 
was  $4,  payable  quarterly. 

The  title-page  and  constitution  of  the  society  compose  twelve  printed 
pages  of  the  pamphlet  ; thereafter  follow  fifty-six  tabulated  pages  for  a 
roster  of  members,  the  first  thirty-six  presenting  in  print  the  names, 
places  of  abode,  and  business  of  that  number  of  members,  of  which,  how- 
ever, ten  are  erased,  indicating  a severance  of  their  connection  with  the 
society.  Seven  names  in  manuscript  follow,  making  a complement  of 
membership  of  thirty-three  only.  The  location  of  abode  is  only  given 
separately  in  one  instance,  leading  to  the  presumption  that  merchants  in 
those  days  usually  dwelt  in  the  same  houses  in  which  they  conducted 
business.  The  places  of  business  are  stated  as  being  located  on  the  north 
or  south  side  of  E (Main)  street,  between  Eleventh  and  Eighteenth  streets. 
Market  Bridge  appears  as  a local  designation. 

The  names  in  print  are  as  follows  : 

James  Baker, 

Hilary  Baker(l), 

Joseph  Bigelow, 

Philip  Budlong(2), 

Robert  Budlong  (erased), 

Charles  Bennett, 

Nathaniel  Charter(3), 

William  Crane(4)  (erased), 

Joshua  Crump, 

John  H.  Cosby, 

Josephus  Colton, 

1 The  brothers  James  and  Hilary  Baker  removed  to  this  city  from  Philadelphia, 
of  which  city  the  latter  had  been  Mayor.  Miss  E.  L.  Van  Lew,  Postmaster  of 
Richmond  under  Grant,  is  a descendant  of  Hilary  Baker. 

2 Philip  Budlong  was  for  several  years  a member  of  the  vestry  of  Old  St.  John’s 
church. 

3 Nathaniel  Charter  was  for  a number  of  years  one  of  the  aldermen  of  the  city. 

4 Of  the  firm  of  William  and  James  C.  Crane,  curriers  and  dealers  in  leather. 
They  were  deeply  pious,  useful,  and  philanthropic  citizens. 


14 


Ezekiel  Daws(5), 

Isaac  Davenport(G), 

Charles  C.  Gay, 

Silas  Hayes, 

William  H.  Hubbard(7'), 
Samuel  Hawkins, 

Jacob  Harrison  (erased), 
Thomas  Hickson, 

James  Hooper, 

Henry  H.  King, 

Lewis  Ludlam(8), 

John  0.  Lay(9), 

Asa  Otis(lO), 

Jabez  Parker(ll), 

John  Patten  (erased), 

Elias  Reed, 

Elnathan  Raymond  (erased), 
John  W.  Smith, 

Edward  Staples, 

Larkin  Taylor  (erased), 


5 Ezekiel  Daws,  long  a favorite  apothecary. 

6 Isaac  Davenport,  a native  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  a member  of  the  firm  of  Dav- 
enport, Allen  & Co.,  importers  and  wholesale  merchants.  Mr.  Davenport  was 
one  of  that  numerous  class  of  accomplished  merchants  whose  pure  lives,  sys- 
tematic rules,  and  stainless  rectitude,  so  long  reflected  honor  on  Richmond.  He 
was  the  father  of  the  late  highly-esteemed  Griffin  B.  Davenport,  and  the  uncle 
of  the  no  less  respected  and  public-spirited  Isaac  Davenport,  Jr.,  late  president 
of  the  First  National  Bank.  He  was  the  first  president  of  the  Virginia  Fire  and 
Marine  Insurance  Company.  He  met  his  death,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four,  in 
1865,  while  superintending  the  rebuilding  of  one  of  his  warehouses,  by  the  fall- 
ing of  a brick  from  one  of  the  tottering  walls  upon  his  head, 

7 William  H.  Hubbard,  the  late  so  highly-esteemed  member  of  the  house  of 
Hubbard,  Gardner  & Carlton. 

8 Lewis  Ludlam,  of  the  firm  of  Ludlam  & Watson,  the  junior  member  of  which, 
Garret  F.  Watson,  still  survives  among  us. 

9 John  O.  Lay,  the  father  of  Judge  John  F.  Lay,  and  the  first  secretary  of  the 
Virginia  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company,  whose  place  of  business  was  on 
the  ground  floor  of  the  old  Eagle  Tavern. 

10  Asa  Otis,  a member  of  the  firm  of  Davenport,  Allen  & Co.  He  was  alive  in 
1878,  a nonogenarian,  at  New  London,  Conn. 

11  Jabez  Parker,  machinist  and  agricultural  implement  maker.  He  was  the 
uncle  of  Hiram  M.  Smith,  who  succeeded  him  in  business. 


15 


Anger  Wildman  (erased), 

James  Whitlock, 

Amnii  Williams  (erased), 

Orren  Williams  (erased), 

Francis  Wood  (erased), 

And  the  following  names  in  manuscript  : 

Peter  Cottom(12), 

Edward  Williams, 

Elisha  Taft, 

John  Eaton, 

Robert  Derby, 

Asa  Raymond, 

Eb’n  Jones. 

The  next  protective  organization  of  which  we  have  record  was  the 
“ Shockoe  Fire  Company,”  which  was  first  instituted  some  time  prior  to 
April  5,  1819,  when  we  cannot  definitely  ascertain,  but  on  that  date,  as 
we  learn  from  a little  pamphlet  of  twelve  pages,  entitled  ‘‘Constitution  of 
the  Shockoe  Fire  Company.  Richmond.  From  the  Franklin  Press  : W. 
W.  Gray,  Printer,  1819.”  Two-thirds  of  the  members  of  the  said  com- 
pany declared  its  existing  constitution  to  be  incorrect  and  deficient,  and 
therefore  null  and  void,  and  established  a new  and  amended  one,  with  the 
following  company  organization  for  a term  of  twelve  months — viz.  : 

Curtis  Carter(l),  captain  ; Charles  H.  Hyde,  lieutenant ; John  Crutch- 
field, secretary  ; George  R.  Myers,  treasurer. 

Engineers — Herrymen  White,  first;  George  Stewart,  second;  Jesse 
Williams(2),  third  ; John  Bootwright(3),  fourth  ; John  Crutchfield,  fifth  ; 
Garland  Hanes(4),  sixth. 

12  Peter  Cottom  removed  to  Richmond  from  Alexandria,  Ya.  In  person  he  was 
six  feet  two  inches  tall.  He  was  a bookseller  and  the  publisher  of  Cottom's  Al- 
manac. A later  abode  of  his  was  the  handsomely  modernized  residence  in  the 
west  end  of  the  city  at  present  owned  and  occupied  by  John  C.  Shafer.  Mr. 
Cottom’s  name  is  among  the  list  of  honorary  members  of  the  Richmond  Light 
Infantry  Blues.  He  was  also  a prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

1 Curtis  Carter  was  a highly  respected  and  most  successful  brick  manufacturer 
and  builder,  and  a majority  of  such  structures  erected  in  Richmond  during  the 
first  three  decades  of  the  present  century  were  executed  by  him.  The  late  hon- 
ored William  C.  Allen  was  an  apprentice  of  his. 

2 Jesse  Williams  was  another  example  of  the  skilled  training  of  Mr.  Carter. 
He  closed  his  useful  life  November  21,  1874,  in  his  seventy-ninth  year.  He  was 
the  father  of  Elisha,  A.  D.,  Rev.  William  H.,  and  of  Thomas  C.  Williams,  all 
deceased,  and  grandfather  of  Thomas  C.  Williams,  Jr. 


16 


QUARTERS  BROAD,  NEAR  NINTH  STREET. 


Members — Henry  Turpin,  William  McCalla,  R.  M.  Bransford,  William 
Saunders,  Thomas  Taylor(5),  George  W.  Spooner,  W.  H.  Tarpley,  Wil- 
liam Norris,  David  Royster,  D.  G.  Pleasants,  Samuel  Dunn(6),  Alexan- 
der Saunders,  Penuel  Pond,  Mai.  Crawford,  John  Hipkins,  Dominick 
Clark,  Thomas  Mifflin  Ladd(7). 

In  addition  to  the  officers  enumerated,  a collector  and  four  representa- 
tives annually  to  the  “ Fire  Department”  were  provided  for.  The  com- 
pany was  equipped  with  a hand-engine,  reel,  and  hose,  and  “washings” 
were  fixed  for  the  months  of  April,  June,  August,  and  October.  Each 
member  was  required  to  “provide  himself  with  a hat  painted  blue,  with 
the  device  of  the  company  thereon,  to  wit  : In  a circular  form,  on  the 
upper  part  of  the  front,  shall  be  painted  ‘ Shockoe  Fire  Company.’  In  a 
half  circle,  immediately  under  the  first,  ‘ United  we  stand.’  In  the  open- 
ing below,  two  arms,  the  hands  whereof  shall  be  joined,  and  in  a half 
circle  reversed,  immediately  under  the  first,  ‘ Divided  we  fall.’  On  the 
back  part  of  the  hat  the  initials  of  the  member’s  name  and  number  of  the 
engine.” 

The  fines  imposed  for  delinquencies  in  duty  were  in  ratio  to  the  dig- 
nity of  position  of  the  individual.  The  captain  being  subject  to  penalties 
of  from  $1  to  $10  ; the  lieutenant  from  50  cents  to  $5  ; the  secretary  from 
$2  to  $6  ; the  treasurer  from  SI  to  S3  ; the  engineers  from  SI  to  $6  ; and 
the  members  from  25  cents  to  $3. 

Shockoe  Hill  was  evidently  at  this  period  advancing  in  competitive 
strides  towards  a rivalry  in  prosperity  and  business  importance  with  the 
earlier  settled  commercial  section  in  the  lower  portion  of  the  city.  This 
was  anterior  by  a number  of  years  to  the  advent  ol  railroads,  with  their 
ruthless  revolutions  and  stemless  monopolies,  and  produce  transportation 
was  all  effected  by  wagons,  long  trains  of  which  would  almost  daily  enter 
Broad  street(8)  by  the  two  roads — the  Brook  and  Deep  Run — leading 

3 John  Bootwriglit  was  one  of  three  brothers — John,  James,  and  William  Boot- 
wright — who  dealt  in  dry  goods  in  the  two  houses  still  standing  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  Broad  and  First  streets. 

4 Garland  Hanes  was  first  a blacksmith,  and  afterwards,  for  a number  of  years, 
the  Superintendent  of  the  City  Water  Works. 

5 Thomas  Taylor  was  a successful  grocer  and  commission  merchant. 

“Samuel  Dunn  was  engaged  also  as  a grocer  and  commission  merchant. 

7 Thomas  Mifflin  Ladd  was  the  brother  of  the  late  highly  respected  Benjamin 
F.  Ladd,  of  Purcell,  Ladd  & Co.,  and  was  for  a number  of  years  Surveyor  of  the 
city  of  Richmond,  as  that  office  was  formerly  termed. 

8 Broad  street  was  paved  with  cobble-stones  in  1837,  under  contract  by  the  late 
Benjamin  W.  Green,  of  somewhat  noted  financial  reputation. 


17 


into  it.  The  owners  of  the  commodities  came  with  them  and  usually  in- 
vested largely  of  the  proceeds  of  their  sales  in  articles  necessary  to  their 
comfort  and  subsistence.  As  our  Broad-street  merchants  were  both  buyers^ 
and  venders,  the  trade  was  necessarily  large  and  highly  profitable.  With 
the  building  of  the  old  Central  and  the  Richmond,  Fredericksburg  and 
Potomac  railroads,  1834-  7,  this  traffic  soon  dwindled  to  comparative  in- 
significance ; but  we  have  pleasing  reminiscences  from  the  period  of  our 
somewhat  later  boyhood  of  the  wagons  with  covered  bodies,  curved  and 
bonnet-shaped  (fast  being  displaced  by  the  Yankee  “ Studenbarker  ”),  the 
jingling  bells,  which  merrily  kept  cadence  with  the  progress  of  teams  (com- 
monly of  six  horses)  hailing  even  from  the  mountain  districts,  and  tooth- 
some experience  of  the  favorite  chestnuts  and  delightful  maple-sugar  which 
formed  a part  of  the  stores  brought.  Goddin’s  Tavern,  located  on  Brook 
avenue,  near  the  historic  little  stream  Bacon’s  Quarter  Branch  (which 
owes  its  name  to  its  traditional  occupancy  as  a camp  in  1676  by  the 
“ Rebel”  Nathaniel  Bacon),  and  in  the  line  of  wagon  approach  to  Rich- 
mond, continued  long  a favored  hostelry.  Its  proprietor  was  Captain 
John  Goddin,  for  many  years  a magistrate  of  the  city,  and  the  father  of 
Wellington  Goddin  and  the  grandfather  of  the  popular  clerk  of  the  Chan- 
cery Court  of  Richmond,  Charles  W.  Goddin.  Goddin’s  Tavern  was 
even  to  the  beginning  of  our  late  war  quite  popular  as  a place  for  the 
holding  of  political  meetings,  barbecues,  and  annual  military  reunions, 
its  well-shaded  premises  and  spring  of  pure  cold  water  being  attractive  in- 
vitations for  such  gatherings.  Here,  to  our  boyhood’s  awe  and  wonder- 
ment, we  saw,  about  1849,  the  famous  Blondin  successfully  perform  the 
feat  of  walking  a tight-rope  stretched  from  hill  to  hill  on  either  side  of  the 
branch,  a distance  of  nearly  two  hundred  yards,  at  a height  at  its  greatest 
elevation  of  some  forty  or  fifty  feet. 

Goddin’s  Tavern  was  usefully  occupied  during  our  late  war  as  a Con- 
federate hospital,  and  for  some  years  thereafter  for  a like  purpose  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Catholic  Church,  when  it  was  known  as  St.  Frances  de 
Sales  Hospital. 

Another  quite  noted  house  of  entertainment  on  Shockoe  Hill  was  Brack- 
ett’s Tavern,  on  the  south  side  of  Broad  near  the  corner  of  Second  street, 
the  site  of  which  is  now  occupied  by  a block  of  business  buildings,  owned 
by  Charles  E.  Whitlock,  Esq. 

The  old  Swan  Tavern,  a long,  low  building  of  wood,  still  standing  on 


18 


the  north  side  of  Broad  street  between  Eighth  and  Ninth,  was  another 
public  house  on  Shockoe  Hill.  Its  sign,  upon  which  was  depicted  a large 
yellow  swan  and  the  designation  “ Swan  Tavern,”  remained  in  front  of 
the  door  until  the  commencement  of  the  late  war.  The  Swan  was  quite 
famous  for  its  excellent  fare,  and  was  largely  patronized  by  the  members 
of  the  General  Assembly  and  by  travelling  barristers. 

A reference  to  the  file  of  the  Richmond  Enquirer  for  1812  gives  us  the 
fact  that  there  existed  in  Richmond  a fire  company  several  years  antece- 
dent in  date  to  those  already  noted  by  us,  and,  somewhat  singularly,  that 
it  was  equipped  with  what  would  appear  as  better  appliances  than  the 
amusingly  primitive  agents  in  use  by  the  “ society  ” of  1816  ; for  in  April, 
1812,  the  ‘‘engine  and  property  of  the  Shockoe  Fire  Company  dis- 
solved ” — were  sold  at  auction.  It  may  have  been  that  the  engine  was  of 
so  clumsy  a construction,  and  so  ill-adapted  to  the  desired  purposes, 
as  to  cause  its  abandonment  and  the  after-adoption  of  simpler  equip- 
ments. 

The  ‘‘fire  department”  mentioned  in  the  “constitution”  of  the 
“Shockoe  Fire  Company”  of  April,  1819,  must  have  originated  but  a 
short  time  previous  to  that  date,  most  likely  in  1818. 

The  water  for  the  extinguishment  of  fires,  until  the  year  1834  (the  date 
of  the  institution  of  the  city  water  works),  was  obtained  from  wells,  the 
James  River  canal,  and  the  natural  water-courses  permeating  the  city  or 
in  its  vicinity.* 

The  Richmond  Fire  Department  soon  consisted  of  three  companies, 
furnished  with  side-brake  engines,  reels,  hose,  &c. , severally  located  at 
Rocketts,  near  the  Capitol  Square,  and  on  Shockoe  Hill.  It  appears  to 
have  continued  without  augmentation  until  about  the  year  1834,  when  a 
large  hand-engine,  manufactured  in  Philadelphia,  was  introduced.  This 
was  known  in  our  firemen’s  traditions  as  the  Ilydraulian,  and  was  under 
the  control  of  the  late  James  Bosher,  who  may  have  held,  also,  the  re- 


* Until  the  year  1818  Shockoe  creek  wended  its  way  across  Main  street  uncov- 
ered. Foot  passengers  crossed  by  a narrow  bridge  and  wagons  and  vehicles  were 
driven  through  the  water.  Books  for  a subscription  for  the  “ Improvement  of 
the  navigation  of  James  River  from  Rocketts  to  Mayo’s  bridge  ” were  opened  at 
the  “Merchants’  Coffee-House”  the  first  Monday  in  May,  1816,  John  Adams,  M. 
D.,  chairman,  and  Orris  Paine,  secretary,  of  the  meeting  held  for  the  purpose. 
The  construction  of  the  Richmond  dock  was  commenced  in  1818,  about  which 
time  the  stone  arch  was  thrown  over  Shockoe  creek.  The  ship-locks  were  com- 
menced and  completed  within  the  years  1852-’-!. 


19 


sponsible  position  of  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Fire  Department.  The  Hy- 
draulian  was  of  such  proportions  and  of  such  massive  construction  that 
hand-power  was  found  to  be  inadequate  to  the  drawing  of  it  to  points  de- 
sired in  accidental  emergencies.  It  was  consequently  stationed  in  a small 
building  located  on  the  east  corner  of  Tenth  street  and  the  basin,  from 
which  water  was  pumped  and  forced  through  hose  to  the  desired  points. 
Such  was  the  power  of  the  Hydraulian  that  it  is  said  to  have  forced  a 
stream  of  water  completely  and  clearly  over  the  State  Capitol  from  hose 
extended  to  that  point — a feat  which  has  not  since  been  rivalled,  even 
with  the  greatly  improved  steam  fire-engine. 

The  so  favorably  recollected  Richmond  Fire  Association,  which  com- 
bined the  functions  of  fire,  marine,  and  life  insurance,  and  of  a fire  depart- 
ment proper,  was  chartered  in  January,  1837,  with  provisionary  control  of 
the  Richmond  Fire  Department.  The  Chief  Engineers  under  it  were, 
successively,  James  Bosher,  Thomas  A.  Rust,  William  C.  Tompkins, 
James  C.  Crane,  Robert  M.  Burton,  and  John  H.  Claiborne,  and  the 
working  body  was  composed  of  members  of  the  Association,  each  of  whom 
was  required  to  own  one  or  more  shares  of  the  stock  of  the  same. 

The  membership  was  composed  of  our  most  respectable  citizens,  includ- 
ing many  of  the  most  staid  habits  and  dignified  demeanor.  Semi-annual 
“washings,”  as  they  were  termed,  were  regularly  held,  at  which  there 
were  competitive  trials  of  the  capacities  of  the  several  engines  of  the  de- 
partment. The  day  was  always  closed  with  some  business-like  report  for 
the  six  months  working  preceding,  made  at  the  City  Hall,  and  with  a 
bountiful  repast  given  at  one  of  our  hotels.  These  periods  were  conse- 
quently marked  ones,  looked  forward  to  with  delightful  anticipations  or 
reverted  to  with  glowing  sensations. 

The  Richmond  Fire  Department  was  constituted  as  follows  in  1847  : 

Company  No.  1,  Titus  C.  Rice, f commander  ; Company  No.  2,  An- 
thony A.  Krischman,  J commander  ; Company  No.  3,  George  H.  Tomp- 


f Titus  C.  Rice  was  long  a prosperous  and  prominent  citizen.  He  conducted 
an  extensive  tinning  and  plumbing  establishment,  a grist-mill,  and  a farm  near 
the  city  : from  which  last  he  furnished  large  contracts  of  wood  to  the  Richmond 
and  Petersburg  railroad,  one  of  the  stations  of  which  was  named  for  him.  Mr. 
Rice  also  held  the  commission  of  colonel  in  the  State  militia.  Later  in  life  ad- 
versity overtook  him,  and  he  closed  his  days  in  great  poverty  in  1871  as  a pilot 
plying  his  vocation  on  James  river. 

JA.  A.  Iirischman,  the  well-remembered  confectioner. 


20 


kins, § commander  ; Company  No.  4,  Allen  M.  Lyon,||  commander  ; Com- 
pany No.  5,  Joseph  Robinson,  commander  ; Company  No.  6,  Hugh  A. 
Watt,* *  commander.  In  1850  the  following  companies  were  added  : No. 
7,  Capt.  W.  C.  Walthall  ; No.  8,  Capt.  Ellett.  Each  of  these  com- 

panies was  equipped  with  side-brake  engines,  hose,  reel,  &c. 

The  department  continued  under  control  of  the  Richmond  Fire  Asso- 
ciation until  the  year  1855,  when  it  was  made  an  independent  volunteer 
department,  organized  as  follows  : 

Chief  Engineer,  John  J.  Fry  ; First  Assistant,  Augustus  Arsell,  Sr.  ; 
Second  Assistant,  Lewis  L.  Barnes  ; Third  Assistant,  Dr.  Patrick  Wilkie 
Brown.  Liberty,  No.  1,  John  H.  Shook,  foreman  ; Protection,  No.  2, 
Virginius  Bossieux,  foreman  ; Phoenix,  No.  3,  Hugh  W.  Fry,  foreman  ; 
Aid,  No.  4,  J.  Oscar  Goode,  foreman  ; Niagara,  No.  5,  Peyton  Walden, 
foreman  ; Citizen,  No.  6,  John  T.  Rogers,  foreman  ; Vigilant,  No.  7,  Wil- 
liam A.  Charters,  foreman  ; Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  No.  1,  Daniel 
Haggerty,  foreman. 

Under  this  regime  the  companies  were  largely  composed  of  young  men 
between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  twenty-one  years,  and  chiefly  from  our 
most  respectable  families.  They  were  highly  emulous  of  success  in  their 
chosen  functions,  and  were  animated  bv  an  esprit  de  corps  rivalling  that  of 
the  Imperial  Guard  of  the  first  Napoleon,  and  an  elan  approaching  that 
of  the  famed  heroes  of  Balaklava.  Rivalry  was  so  intense  as  sometimes 
to  impede  the  effective  usefulness  of  the  department. 

To  exhibit  the  interest  involved,  Citizen  Company,  No.  6,  owned  its 
entire  equipment  and  had  besides  a treasury  amounting  to  $5,000.  Many 
of  our  now  staid  and  plodding  citizens  will  recall  their  youthful  enrolment 
among  the  “ Tigers,”  ‘ ‘ Rough-and-Readys,”  “ Y’ow-yows,”  “Yellow- 
Jackets,”  and  other  cherished  designations  in  which  they  delighted. 

It  was  found  expedient  in  1859  to  abolish  the  volunteer  organizations 
and  to  create  a paid  department,  known  as  the  Fire  Brigade,  constituted 
as  follows  : 

Chief  Engineer,  Lewis  L.  Barnes.  First  Company,  A,  John  T.  Rogers, 
commander  ; Second  Company,  B,  Vincent  Bargamin,  commander  ; Third 
Company,  C,  Thomas  Clemmitt,  commander  ; Fourth  Company,  D,  Wil- 

§Capt.  George  H.  Tompkins,  of  the  Richmond  Light  Infantry  Blues. 

fl  Allen  M.  Lyon,  a successful  marbleworker,  father  of  Thomas  (deceased)  and 
of  Daniel  and  Capt.  Allen  M.  Lyon,  Jr.,  well-known  tobacconists, 

*ij Hugh  A.  Watt,  long  a successful  china  merchant, 


21 


liam  A.  Charters,  commander  ; Fifth  Company,  E,  William  A.  Weed, 
commander  ; Sixth  Company,  F,  C.  A.  Brockmeyer,  commander.  Cor- 
responding severally  to  companies  Nos.  6,  4,  1,  7,  and  Hose  Company 
No.  5,  which  was  continued  until  the  close  of  the  late  war,  during  which 
the  Brigade  acted  as  a provost  guard  for  Richmond. 

In  1849  the  engines  in  use  by  the  department  were  displaced  by  others 
which  were  purchased  second-handed  from  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  first  steam-engine  used  by  the  department  was  introduced  in  1860, 
and  was  built  by  Ettinger  & Edmond,  of  this  city. 

The  following  regulations  in  sounding  an  alarm  of  fire,  were  published 
in  1846  : 

“ [No.  1,  or  Jefferson  Ward,  includes  all  that  portion  of  the  City  East 
of  15th  street.  No.  2,  or  Madison  Ward,  includes  all  that  portion  of  the 
City  West  of  15th  and  East  of  7th  streets.  No.  3,  or  Monroe  Ward,  in- 
cludes the  whole  of  the  city  west  of  7th  street.] 

If  the  fire  is  in  the  1st  Ward,  the  Bell  at  the  Old  Market  House,  in 
giving  the  alarm,  first  strikes  One,  and  is  then  rung  very  quickly  until 
the  Bells  in  Wards  2 and  3,  have  commenced  and  continued  ringing  for 
the  space  of  2 minutes  : — and  after  it  is  noticed  by  the  Bells  in  the  other 
Wards,  it  then  tolls  until  the  fire  has  ceased.  The  same  rules  are  ob- 
served by  the  Bell  at  the  Bell  House,  except,  that  it  strikes  Two  when 
the  fire  is  in  Ward  No.  2 : — and  the  Bell  at  Engine  House  No.  4 strikes 
Three  when  the  fire  is  in  Ward  No.  3.  All  the  Bells  continue  ringing 
and  striking  at  intervals  the  Ward  in  which  the  fire  is  (except  the  Bell 
located  in  that  Ward)  until  the  fire  has  ceased.” 

The  ringing  of  the  bell  in  our  familiar  landmark,  the  old  Bell-House, 
in  our  Capitol  Square,  was  “ dispensed  with  ” by  resolution  of  the  City 
Council  January  10,  1870. 

For  a time,  under  the  military  official  of  Reconstruction  days,  Capt. 
Frank  M.  Mullen  acted  as  Chief  Engineer.  He  died  June  22,  1871,  in 
his  fortieth  year,  and  his  loss  is  “ mourned”  by  Chief  George  A.  Ainslie 
in  his  report  for  January,  1872,  in  terms  of  warm  commendation.  He  was 
of  “ kind  disposition  and  respected  by  all  with  whom  he  was  associated.” 
The  first  Chief  Engineer  after  the  war  was  the  lamented  William  A. 
Charters,  so  much  beloved  by  his  comrades  of  the  department,  and  who 
lost  his  life  in  the  disaster  at  the  State  Capitol,  April  27,  1870.  He  was 
succeeded  bv  the  late  George  A.  Ainslie.  Captain  Ainslie,  resigning,  was 
succeeded  in  18S0  by  G.  Watt  Taylor,  the  latter  by  Arthur  L.  Fuqua  in 


1886.  The  present  incumbent,  the  popular  and  efficient  Chief  W.  G. 
Puller,  was  elected  in  1888. 

Prominent  among  the  firemen  of  the  past  other  than  those  enumerated 
may  be  mentioned  A.  Bargamin,  Sr.,  Capt.  Samuel  Freeman,  James  Allen, 
William  Booth,  Robert  E.  Blankenship,  Robert  Heath,  Joseph  S.  Michard, 
all  now  deceased,  and  James  Jeffreys,  Horace  P.  Edmond,  and  John  J. 
King,  now  useful  citizens  amongst  us.  It  is  farthest  from  our  wish  to  be 
invidious,  but  as  we  are  innocent  of  any  recognized  glowing  service  among 
those  whose  chief  pride  it  was  “to  run  with  the  machine,’’  we  may  be 
pardoned  for  the  want  of  a more  extended  knowledge  of  those  who  dis- 
tinguished themselves  in  such  service. 

We  acknowledge,  however,  t©  have  been  impressed  with  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  same  when  as  oft  in  our  boyhood’s  days  we  have  seen  the  volun- 
teer organizations  in  rival  racing  to  the  scene  of  the  disaster,  their  way 
illuminated  with  the  glaring  flambeau,  which  was  always  carried  prior  to 
the  introduction  of  gas,  which  was  on  the  2'2d  of  February,  1850  ; yells 
and  songs  lending  enthusiasm  to  their  tensely-strained  exertions. 

Those  providential  institutions — insurance  companies — were  blessings 
unknown  to  our  progenitors  of  the  last  century,  save  at  its  very  close. 
The  pioneer  company  in  Virginia  was  authorized  by  an  act  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  passed  December  22,  1794,  in  which  it  is  recited  that, 
“Whereas,  from  the  great  and  frequent  losses  sustained  by  the  ravages 
of  fire,  it  is  advised  expedient  to  adopt  some  mode  to  alleviate  the  cal- 
amities of  the  unfortunate,  who  may  suffer  by  that  destructive  element  ; 
and  William  F.  Ast,  of  the  city  of  Richmond,  having  suggested  and  sub- 
mitted to  the  consideration  of  the  General  Assembly  a plan  of  mutual 
assurance,  the  title  whereof  is,  ‘ The  Mutual  Assurance  Society  on  Build- 
ings against  Fire  of  the  State  of  Virginia,’  which,  it  is  conceived,  will 
fully  answer  the  above  purposes  : 

“ Be  it  therefore  enacted,  That  an  assurance  be  established,”  as  above, 
“the  principles  whereof  shall  be  ‘that  the  citizens  of  this  State  may 
insure  their  buildings  against  the  losses  and  damages  occasioned  accident- 
ally by  fire,  and  that  the  insured  pay  the  losses  and  expenses,  each  his 
share  according  to  the  sum  invested,’  and  that  subscriptions  be  opened  in 
the  different  parts  of  this  State  where  it  may  be  thought  necessary,  under 
the  direction  of  Thomas  Newton,  Jr.,  and  James  Morris,  at  Norfolk  ; 
Archibald  Richardson  and  John  Driver,  at  Suffolk  ; Robert  Andrews  and 
Robert  Greenhow,  at  Williamsburg;  John  Jeffers,  Alexander  McRae, 


23 


and  John  Osborne,  at  Petersburg  ; Worlick  Westwood  and  George  Hope, 

» at  Hampton;  John  Harvie,  Robert  Mitchell,  Andrew  Dunscomb,  and 
William  F.  Ast,  at  Richmond;  Fontaine  Maury  and  .Robert  Patton,  at 
Fredericksburg;  William  Hartshorne  and  Robert  T.  Hooe,  at  Alexandria; 
Archibald  McGill  and  Abraham  Neale,  at  Winchester  ; Alexander  St. 
Clair  and  Robert  Grattan,  at  Staunton;  Henry  Bowyer,  Thomas  Madison, 
and  John  Miller,  at  Fincastle  ; William  Norvill  and  Sackville  King,  at 
Lynchburg  ; John  Caruthers  and  William  Lyle,  at  Lexington,  William 
Reynolds,  William  Cary,  and  Abraham  Auber,  at  York  ; James  Penn  and 
Thomas  Read,  at  New  London  ; James  Muschitt  and  Alexander  Hen- 
derson, at  Dumfries;  Alexander  Smyth  and  John  Montgomery,  at  Wythe; 
James  Miller  and  John  Hopkins,  at  Port*  Royal  ; John  Quinn  and  John 
Otee,  of  Liberty  ; Robert  Dunbar  and  Daniel  Triplett,  Falmouth  ; Wil- 
liam White  and  Caleb  Boush,  Kempsville ; Thomas  Bell  and  Robert 
Jouitt,  at  Charlottesville  ; and  David  Hunter  and  Mosse  Hunter,  at  Mar- 
tinsburg,  in  the  county  of  Berkeley.” 

How  very  familiar  are  these  names  to  us,  in  lengthened  annals  of  useful 
citizenship,  and  in  charming  traditions  of  social  virtues.  How  redolent, 
too,  of  the  stirring  days  ot  ’76  ! 

It  is  further  provided  that  ‘‘As  soon  as  the  sum  subscribed  for  shall 
amount  to  three  millions  of  dollars  or  upwards,  notice  shall  be  given  in 
the  Virginia  Gazette ,”  and  a meeting  shall  be  held  for  the  adoption  of 
necessary  “ rules  and  regulations.”  Premiums  to  be  paid  by  the  insured 
which  were  to  be  “ kept  as  a fund  for  the  purpose  of  making  immediate 
reparation”  for  losses.  Should  the  fund  at  any  time  prove  insufficient 
for  such  purpose,  “ a repartition  among  the  whole  of  the  persons  insured 
shall  be  made”  in  proportion  to  the  sum  insured,  and  the  rate  of  the 
hazard.  These  assessments  were  denominated  ‘‘quotas,”  and  the  pro- 
perty insured,  by  mutual  agreement,  was  bound  as  security  lor  the  pay- 
ment of  the  same. 

The  yearly  compensation  of  Ast,  the  principal  agent  of  the  society,  as 
he  was  denominated,  was  an  emolument  of  one  per  cent,  on  every  hun- 
dred dollars  insured. 

By  act  of  Assembly  passed  January  29,  1805,  a separation  of  the  risks 
in  country  and  town  was  authorized,  and  a directory  of  three  was  pro- 
vided, “ out  of  whom  a president  was  chosen”  ; also  a principal  agent. 
The  salary  of  the  president  was  fixed  at  8500  ; of  the  directors  at  S350,  and 
of  the  principal  agent,  $1,000.  In  1822  the  “ country  branch  ” of  the 
society  was  abolished. 

24 


HOOK  AND  LADDER  TRUCK  COMPANY,  No.  2,  R.  F.  D. 


i 

•> 


! 

i 


f- 


: 


^ i - . 4-  . • - 


Ast,  who  originated  this  scheme  of  insurance,  was  a Prussian,  and  is 
said  to  have  based  his  plan  upon  a similar  one  devised  by  Frederick  the 
Great. 

The  officers  of  the  Mutual  Assurance  Society,  since  its  institution,  have 
been  as  follows  : 

Principal  agents  : William  Frederick  Ast,  1795-1807  ; Samuel  Green- 
how,  1808-1815  ; James  Rawling,  1815-1837  ; John  Rutherford,  1837— 
1866  ; Herbert  A.  Claiborne,  1866.  Secretaries  : Louis  M.  Rivalain,* 
1795-1825  ; William  H.  Allen,  1825-1835;  Thomas  R.  Blair,  1835-1846; 
John  B.  Danforlh,  1846-1875  ; Henry  D.  Danforth,  1875-1878  ; Frank 
D.  Steger,  1878.  The  collectors  have  been  : Thomas  H.  Drew,  Samuel 
T.  Pulliam,  Samuel  H.  Pulliam,  John  Blair,  and  other  incumbents  be- 
tween Messrs.  Drew  and  Samuel  T.  Pulliam  not  known  to  us. 

Prior  to  the  year  1806,  the  society  had  also  the  office  of  treasurer  or 
cashier-general,  as  it  was  termed.  The  successive  incumbents  were  : 
Jacquiline  Ambler,  December  26,  1795  ; Andrew  Dunscombe,  January, 
1798;  William  West,  April  28,  1802;  William  Price,  January  28,  1806. 
Upon  the  abolition  of  the  office  its  duties  were  merged  into  those  of  the 
secretary. 

The  directory  of  the  Mutual  Assurance  Society  has  ever  been  com- 
posed of  gentlemen  of  sterling  worth,  and  has  included  many  names  of 
State  and  national  reputation.  The  institution  has  always  been  a highly 
popular  one,  and  its  peculiar  merit  is  attested  by  its  continual  prosperity 
and  success.  Its  regulations  have,  of  course,  been  modified  to  meet  the 
advancing  knowledge  and  needs  of  insurance,  and  its  officers  now  receive 
salaries  more  adequate  to  the  increased  responsibilities  and  labor  involved. 

A “ Mutual  Insurance  Company  against  fire  on  goods  and  furniture  in 
the  State  of  Virginia”  was  established  by  William  F.  Ast,  in  connection 
with  the  Mutual  Assurance  Society,  on  the  26th  day  of  January,  1798,  in 
accordance  with  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  passed  8th  December, 
1795.  We  have  inspected  its  first  book  of  policies  issued.  No.  1 bears 
date  March  13,  1798,  and  No.  141,  May  7,  1803  ; from  which  an  inference 
may  be  made  as  to  the  popularity  of  the  insurance  of  personal  effects  at 
the  period  stated.  When  the  existence  of  the  company  ceased,  we  are 
not  advised,  but  it  must  have  been  sometime  after  October  1,  1805,  since 
we  have  the  printed  forms  for  the  receipt  of  ‘‘quotas  and  the  interest 

^According  to  our  local  annalist  Mordecai,  Rivalain  was  a native  of  Turkey. — 
Richmond  in  By-gone  days. 


25 


thereon,  which  were  due  October  1,  1804,  and  October  1,  1805.”  Ast 
first  occupied  as  an  office  a small  wooden  building  immediately  opposite 
to  the  site  of  the  present  W hig  office  on  Governor  street.  The  office  of 
the  society  for  forty  years  or  more  prior  to  the  late  war  was  located  on  the 
east  side  of  Ninth  street,  and  was  the  second  house  from  the  corner  of 
Marshall  street.  The  office  was  removed  to  the  corner  of  Tenth  and  Bank 
streets,  and  a little  later  to  its  present  location  in  1868. 

The  next  corporation  in  point  of  date  of  our  more  important  companies 
which  survived  the  vicissitudes  of  our  late  war,  is  the  Virginia  Fire  and 
Marine  Insurance  Company,  which  was  originally  chartered  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  March  14,  1832,  with  a capital  of  $60,000,  and  authority  to 
increase,  the  same  to  $500,000  in  shares  of  the  value  of  $25  each.  The 
success  of  this  company  presented  a steadily  growing  increase  to  the 
period  of  our  late  war,  and  notwithstanding  that  a large  amount  of  its 
assets  were  lost  by  the  failure  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  it  was  yet 
enabled,  through  the  careful  management  and  good  judgment  of  its 
faithful  and  untiring  president  and  experienced  directory,  to  present  to 
its  stockholders  in  1866  a list  of  assets  amounting  to  $178,000.  The 
continued  care  and  prudence  of  its  conduction  is  convincingly  attested  by 
the  wonderfully  increased  amount  of  its  assets  which,  at  its  last  statement, 
was  $600,000,  and  by  the  semi-annual  dividends  declared  its  stockholders, 
which  have  been  for  some  years,  about  eight  per  cent.  The  marketable 
value  of  the  stock  is  now  $37.50  per  share. 

The  office  of  the  company  for  a long  time  was  kept  at  the  store  of  its 
first  secretary,  which  was  under  the  old  Eagle  Tavern,  on  Main  street. 

The  first  president  of  the  Virginia  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company 
was  Isaac  Davenport,  Sr. , whom  we  have  already  mentioned  in  these 
papers.  Mr.  Davenport  resigning  in  1833,  in  consequence  of  the  large 
demands  upon  his  time  made  by  the  magnitude  and  extent  of  his  com- 
mercial enterprises,  was  succeeded  by  Archibald  Pleasants,  Jr.  The  suc- 
cession has  since  been  : Thomas  M.  Alfriend,  May,  1856  ; W.  L.  Cowar- 
din,  March,  1858,  and  Col.  William  H.  Palmer  in  February,  1889,  who 
is  the  present  incumbent.  The  secretaries  have  been  as  follows  : John 
Ormstead  Lay,  1832  ; Thomas  M.  Alfriend,  May,  1838  ; W.  L.  Cowar- 
din,  May,  1856  ; William  Willis,  Jr.,  March,  1853  ; Samuel  P.  Willis, 
1876  ; who  was  succeeded  by  the  following  gentlemen  in  1878  : William 
H.  McCarthy,  secretary;  William  Broaddus  Robins,  assistant  secretary. 
The  last  was  succeeded  by  S.  McG.  Fisher. 


26 


We  next  note  the  old  “ Richmond  Fire  Association,”  of  the  connection 
of  which,  with  the  Richmond  Fire  Department,  we  have  already  given 
some  account.  This  was  chartered  by  act  of  the  General  Assembly  in 
January,  1837,  and  was  instituted  by  citizens  who  had  been  previously 
connected  with  the  Fire  Department  of  Richmond.  Its  successive 
officers  were  as  follows  : Presidents — James  Bosher,  James  C.  Crane, 
David  Currie.  Secretaries — Hamilton  Crenshaw,  John  Henry  Bosher, 
Robert  A.  Tompkins,  Robert  T.  Brooke.  Treasurers — Thomas  A.  Rust, 
William  C.  Tompkins. 

The  association  had  an  humble  beginning,  though  composed  of  our 
most  prominent  citizens.  The  directory  met  for  a considerable  period  at 
the  hardware  store  of  our  now  venerable  but  still  active  and  most  sprightly 
citizen,  Thomas  A.  Rust.  Its  next  office  was  at  the  carriage  manufactory 
of  its  president,  Mr.  Bosher,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Ninth  and  Main 
streets,  where  it  was  held  until  the  purchase  of  its  so  familiar  and  last- 
occupied  site  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Main  and  Eleventh  streets. 

The  par  value  of  the  shares  of  the  Fire  Association  stock  was  $20,  but 
such  was  the  popularity  and  success  of  the  institution  that  it  commanded 
on  the  market,  just  previous  to  our  late  war,  $40  per  share. 

Owing  to  unfortunate  investments  during  the  war,  the  finances  of  the 
Fire  Association  were  so  much  affected  that  it  was  not  deemed  expedient 
upon  the  restoration  of  peace  to  resume  operations.  Dividends  amounting 
to  about  $2  per  share,  have  since  been  paid  upon  its  stock. 

Another  favored  insurance  company,  with  our  citizens  for  a period  long 
prior  to  our  late  war,  was  the  long-established  Hitna  of  Hartford,  Conn. 
The  large  number  of  buildings  insured  in  which  was  exhibited  by  circular 
tins  above  the  doors  bearing  the  inscription,  11  Insured  in  the  /Etna  Insur- 
ance Company.”  The  insurance  with  this  company  was  interrupted  and 
made  void  by  the  circumstances  of  the  war,  but  soon  after,  it  re-established 
an  agency  in  this  city,  with  Mr.  Thomas  L.  Alfriend,  a worthy  son  of 
a highly  regarded  sire,  Thomas  M.  Alfriend,  deceased,  so  long  identified 
with  the  insurance  interests  of  Virginia. 

The  primitive  system  of  “ fire  alarm,”  so  long  in  use,  has  been  noted. 

The  present  electric  system  was  first  introduced  to  this  city  by  Messrs. 
Gamewell  & Co.,  of  New  York. 

At  the  same  time  two  miles  of  police  wire  were  put  up,  connecting  with 
an  instrument  in  each  of  the  three  police  stations,  one  in  the  office  of  the 
Chief  of  Police,  and  another,  or  fifth  instrument,  in  the  residence  of  the 
latter. 

27 


From  January,  1870,  until  May  following,  the  whole  system,  both  Fire 
and  Police,  was  in  charge  of  Col.  George  T.  Egbert,  then  Chief  of  Police, 
through  whose  instrumentality,  chiefly,  the  city  has  been  blessed  with  this 
essential  agent. 

The  Fire-Alarm  Telegraph  Department  was  separately  organized  May 
1,  1871,  with  the  skilled  and  capable  electrician,  the  late  J.  R.  Dowell,  as 
Superintendent.  Mr.  Dowell,  dying  in  1876,  was  succeeded  by  the 
lamented  R.  M.  Jf  Paynter,  and  the  latter  by  the  present  accomplished 
and  progressive  Superintendent,  W.  H.  Thompson. 


W.  G.  PULLER,  CHIEF  R.  F.  D. 


■ 'V',  V : 

; 


W.  H.  THOMPSON,  SUP'T  FIRE-ALARM  DEP'T. 


GEO.  C.  SHAW,  FIRST  ASS’T  CHIEF  R.  F.  D. 


t 


1 


\ 


E.  T.  SNEAD.  SECOND  ASS’T  CHIEF  K,  F.  D. 


G.  E.  PAYNTER, 

Ass’t  Stjp’t  and  Sec'y  Fike  Dep't. 


■ 


T \\q  Persorqel  ar^d  Erq Vi i pnqer^t. 


Ricljnior\d  Fire  Departrrjerjt,  1594. 


THE  general  management  and  supervision  of  the  Department  is  in 
the  hands  of  the  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners,  which  came  into 
existence,  by  special  act  of  the  Legislature  of  Virginia,  in  1888, 
superseding  the  old  plan  of  committee  from  Council  in  vogue  up  to  that 
date.  To  the  painstaking  efforts  of  Mr.  E.  H.  Fisher,  deceased,  former 
secretary  of  Fire  Department,  and  Mr.  Edward  Cohn,  of  this  city,  must 
be  attributed  the  successful  passage  of  the  bill  that  has  accomplished 
so  much  towards  elevating  the  Richmond  Fire  Department  to  metropoli- 
tan rank,  both  in  discipline  and  in  thoroughly  effective  work. 

The  Board  consists  of  six  members,  each  individually  elected  by  both 
branches  of  the  City  Council  in  Committee  of  the  Whole — a sufficient 
guarantee  as  to  the  representative  character  of  the  gentlemen  selected. 

John  H.  Frischkorn,  President  of  the  Board,  was  elected  to  that 
position  by  his  fellow-commissioners  on  its  first  organization,  in  1888, 
and  has  been  continuously  re-elected  since.  Mr.  Frischkorn  is  a native 
of  Richmond.  Born  in  1848  and  educated  in  the  city  schools,  his  whole 
business-life  has  been  spent  here.  He  has  served  two  terms  in  the  City 
Council,  and  is  a thorough  enthusiast  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the 
Department.  Seldom  does  a fire  occur- — no  matter  how  bad  the  weather 
or  how  dark  the  night — that  the  President  of  the  Board  is  not  found 
among  the  first  on  the  ground. 

George  Watt  Taylor,  Vice-President  of  the  Board,  was  elected  to 
membership  in  1891,  and  brought  to  its  deliberations  the  ripe  experience 
of  many  years’  practical  connection  with  the  Department.  Back  in  1866 
Mr.  Taylor  first  joined  the  Department,  and  was  elected  foreman  of  his 
company,  Assistant  Chief  and  Chief  of  Department  successively  ; held  the 
position  of  Chief  for  three  terms,  and  was  finally  forced  to  decline  re-elec- 
tion on  account  of  increased  demands  upon  his  time  by  enlarged  private 
interests. 


29 


Joseph  L.  Levy  is  an  original  member  of  the  Board,  having  been 
elected  by  the  Board  of  Public  Interest  at  its  organization  under  act  of 
Legislature  in  1888,  and  re-elected  by  City  Council  in  1892  for  a term  of 
six  years.  Mr.  Levy  was  born  at  Amelia  Courthouse,  Va. , in  1858,  and 
removed  to  Richmond  with  parents  in  1865  ; has  since  been  a resident 
here.  He  is  engaged  in  merchandizing,  and  believes  enthusiastically  in 
Democratic  principles,  as  evidenced  by  his  membership  of  City  Demo- 
cratic Committee  in  1 887-’ 88. 

Charles  F.  Taylor  was  elected  to  membership  of  the  Board  in  1889, 
being  the  first  member  elected  on  new  board  by  the  City  Council  for  full 
term  of  six  years.  Mr.  Taylor  was  born  in  Richmond  in  1847  ; was 
educated  at  Virginia  Military  Institute  and  Roanoke  College  ; entered  the 
Confederate  army  in  1864,  and  served  till  the  end  of  the  war  with  Com- 
pany G,  Third  Virginia  Regiment.  Mr.  Taylor  was  captain  of  Lee 
Guard,  First  Virginia  Regiment,  from  organization  after  the  war,  for  five 
years,  and  afterwards  captain  of  Richmond  City  Guards,  which  he 
organized.  In  politics  Captain  Taylor  has  always  been  a prominent  Demo- 
crat, serving  for  some  time  as  chairman  of  the  City  Central  Committee, 
and  has  been  honored  by  his  party  with  eight  years  in  City  Council  and 
two  in  the  State  Legislature. 

James  R.  Sheppard  was  elected  to  the  Board  in  1892,  and  has  been 
long  a valued  member  and  friend  of  the  Department.  Mr.  Sheppard 
was  born  in  Henrico  county,  Va.,  in  1851,  and  is  engaged  in  the  clothing 
business  in  this  city.  He  first  joined  No.  3 Company  in  18/  9 ; was  elected 
captain  of  the  company  in  1882—’  88,  and  was  made  First  Assistant  Engi- 
neer of  the  Department  in  1888-’92. 

L.  C.  Jenkins,  the  newly-elected  member  of  the  Board  ( June  1,  1894), 
is  still  another  illustration  of  the  fact  that  the  citizens  of  Richmond  believe 
in  keeping  the  interests  of  the  Department  in  the  hands  of  experienced 
men.  Captain  Jenkins  has  been  for  years  identified  with  the  interests  of 
the  force.  He  first  joined  in  1874,  and  was  elected  a captain  in  1883 
until  1892.  He  was  born  in  1846,  at  Henrico,  Va.,  and  is  engaged  in 
building  and  contracting  in  this  city. 

This  brief  outline  of  the  personality  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners 
does  but  scant  justice  to  their  efficiency.  To  their  intelligent  and  con- 
certed action  is  largely  due  the  fact  that  Richmond  can  boast  of  having 
the  best  equipped  fire  force,  maintained  at  less  cost,  and  showing  the 
smallest  percentage  of  loss  by  fire,  of  any  city  equal  in  size  in  the  United 
States. 


30 


CHIEF  W.  G.  PULLER. 


One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  newly-constituted  Board  of  Fire  Commis- 
sioners, after  organization  in  1888,  was  the  unanimous  election  of  Chief 
Puller  to  head  the  executive  force  of  Richmond’s  fire-fighters:  the  selection 
has  been  as  unanimously  endorsed  by  the  citizens  and  business  interests. 

William  G.  Puller  was  born  in  1844  at  Cumberland,  New  Kent  county, 
Virginia,  and  signaled  the  dawn  of  his  manhood,  and  the  material  of  which 
it  is  composed,  by  entering  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  at  the  very 
beginning  of  the  struggle  in  1861 — when  but  seventeen  years  of  age.  At 
the  battle  of  Mechanicsville,  on  the  26th  of  June,  1862,  while  fighting 
under  the  very  shadow  of  his  father’s  house,  young  Puller  was  severely 
wounded;  a short  interval  of  convalescence  and  he  was  again  with  his 
command.  He  was  taken  prisoner  in  the  Gettysburg  campaign,  and  spent 
nineteen  months  in  prison;  exchanged,  he  once  again  resumed  his  com- 
mand and  fought  on  until  the  tragedy  of  Appomattox  forced  him — empty- 
handed — to  begin  life  over  again. 

Captain  Puller  came  to  Richmond  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  war  and 
took  up  the  occupation  of  a builder.  In  187-5  he  first  joined  the  Rich- 
mond Fire  Department,  and  served  seven  years  with  Steamer  No.  5,  and 
afterwards  as  foreman  of  that  Company.  In  1883  he  was  elected  Third 
Assistant  Chief — which  position  he  held  until  his  election  to  Chief  of  De- 
partment in  1888. 

Personally,  Chief  Puller  is  quiet,  unassuming,  conservative;  deservedly 
popular  with  his  men,  and  noted  for  impartial,  courteous  administration 
in  every-day  routine.  On  the  battle-ground,  when  the  fire  fiend  is  to  be 
conquered,  he  is  above  all  a general — careful,  cool-headed — a master. 

Under  the  administration  of  such  a man,  it  can  be  readily  understood 
why  the  Richmond  Department  is  noted  for  its  high  standard  of  morals 
and  discipline. 

Dissipation  among  members  of  the  force,  and  even  the  vulgar  fault  of 
profanity,  is  practically  unknown.  What  greater  compliment  could  be 
paid  to  the  administration  of  a kindly,  Christian  gentleman  ? 

W.  H.  THOMPSON, 

Superintendent  Fire-Alarm  System. 

In  the  person  of  Mr.  Thompson,  the  Richmond  Fire  Department  pos- 
sesses a mechanical  genius.  Born  in  Lynchburg,  Va. , in  1858  ; educated 
in  Baltimore,  Md.  Afterwards,  taking  a course  in  architecture  in  this 


31 


CENTRAL  FIRE-ALARM  OFFICE,  CITY  HALL. 


city,  he  entered  the  carpentry  business  and  was  appointed  foreman  of 
shops  at  City  Almshouse  in  1879.  In  1880  he  was  made  resident  engi- 
neer of  the  same  institution,  and  held  that  position  until  elected  Superin- 
tendent of  Fire  Alarm  by  the  City  Council  in  1884. 

Mr.  Thompson  has  seen  this  department  of  the  service  grow  from  a 
village  system,  consisting  of  but  one  direct  wire  when  he  took  charge,  to 
a fully-equipped  metropolitan  department,  with  connections  through  a 
central  office,  the  equipment  of  which  compares  favorably  with  any  in  the 
country.  A professional  electrician  and  a thorough  mechanic,  many  of 
the  unique  and  serviceable  appliances  in  the  Department  are  wholly 
attributable  to  his  genius.  The  central  office  in  the  City  Hall,  with  its 
numberless  puzzling  instruments  and  wonderful  arrangement  of  electrical 
devices,  is  the  Mecca  to  which  all  visitors  turn  and  pay  the  tribute  of 
admiring  curiosity. 

Personally,  Mr.  Thompson  is  a great  favorite  with  both  officers  and 
men.  After  fifteen  years  in  the  service  of  the  city,  he  is  the  proud 
possessor  of  hosts  of  friends,  who  firmly  maintain  that  the  Superintendent 
is  fully  up  to  date. 

GEORGE  C.  SHAW, 

First  Assistant  Chief. 

George  C.  Shaw  was  born  in  Richmond,  February  22,  1858;  was  edu- 
cated in  the  High  Schools  of  this  city,  and  learned  his  trade  of  cigar- 
making here — in  fact,  he  is  an  all-round  Richmond  boy. 

He  first  joined  the  Department  as  ladderman,  No.  2 Truck,  in  1883; 
was  made  tillerman  of  his  truck  the  same  year,  and  served  in  that  capacity 
until  elected  First  Assistant  Chief  in  1892.  Previous  to  this  date,  the 
Assistant  Chief’s  position  had  been  in  connection  with  the  call  force. 
Assistant-Chief  Shaw  is,  therefore,  the  first  assistant  chief  assigned  to 
permanent  force.  When  the  usually  slow  process  of  promotion  in  a de- 
partment of  this  size  is  considered,  no  better  statement  of  the  estimation 
in  which  Mr.  Shaw  is  held  by  the  Department  can  be  adduced  than  the 
simple  story  told  by  these  recorded  dates.  His  service  has  been  valuable 
to  and  appreciated  by  the  Department.  Nothing  suits  Assistant-Chief 
Shaw  better  than  to  “ get  into  the  middle  of  it”  when  at  a fire;  and  that 
he  has  succeeded  in  doing  so  the  records  of  the  Department  fully  evidence. 
As  first  lieutenant  to  an  able  Chief — a fire-fighter  from  the  word  “go”  — 
the  consensus  of  public  opinion  is  that  the  right  man  is  in  the  right  place. 

Mr.  Shaw’s  headquarters  are  at  No.  2 Truck- House  on  Grace  street, 
and  he  has  charge  of  the  district  east  of  Ninth  street. 


33 


E.  T.  SNEAD, 

Second  Assistant  Chief. 

Born  in  Hanover  county,  Virginia,  in  1833,  Mr.  Snead  came  to  Rich- 
mond in  his  early  manhood  and  has  followed  his  occupation  as  builder 
since.  He  first  joined  the  force  in  1870;  was  elected  Second  Assistant 
Chief  in  1880,  and  assigned  in  charge  of  First  District,  with  headquarters 
at  No.  1 Engine-House,  Twenty-fifth  and  Broad  streets. 

No  man  in  the  Department  has  the  interest  of  the  force  more  at  heart, 
or  takes  a more  honest  pride  in  its  efficiency.  Chief  Snead  is  rightly 
considered  one  of  the  most  effective  men  that  could  be  placed  in  his  posi- 
tion— one  who,  with  little  to  say,  prefers  acting  to  talking,  and  is  always 
found  where  duty  calls. 

GEORGE  E.  PAYNTER, 

Assistant  Superintendent  Fire  Alarm  and 
Secretary  of  Fire  Department. 

Mr.  Paynter  might  rightfully  claim  the  title  of  “Son  of  the  Depart- 
ment.” He  was  born  in  Richmond  in  1863,  was  educated  here,  and 
studied  his  profession  as  an  electrician  under  his  father,  R.  M.  J.  Paynter, 
who  was  Superintendent  of  Fire  Alarm  from  1867  until  his  death  in  1882. 
He  was  first  connected  with  the  service  as  assistant  to  his  father  in  1876, 
and  succeeded  to  the  duties  of  Secretary  of  Department  upon  the  death 
of  Mr.  E.  H.  Fisher  in  1893. 

Personally,  Mr.  Paynter  is  a most  affable  and  pleasant  gentleman.  As 
the  mouth-piece  of  the  Department,  he  comes  in  direct  contact  with  the 
public,  and  has  many  duties  to  perform  that  require  tact  and  good  judg- 
ment. The  fact  that  he  successfully  fills  the  requirements  of  his  position 
is  evident  to  all  men. 


34 


Perrriar^erit  Force. 


1  Chief. 

1 Assistant  Chief. 

8 Engineers. 

8 Helpers. 

11  Hostlers. 

3 Tillermen. 

11  Extra  Station-men. 

6 Laddermen. 

12  Hosemen. 

FIRE-ALARM  DEPARTMENT. 

1 Superintendent. 

1 Assistant  Superintendent. 

1 Foreman  of  Construction. 

2 Linemen. 

Total,  66. 

Call  Force. 

1 Assistant  Chief. 

8 Captains  of  Engine  Companies. 

8 Lieutenants  of  Engine  Companies. 

3 Captains  of  Truck  Companies. 

3 Lieutenants  of  Truck  Companies. 
31  Hosemen. 

17  Laddermen. 

22  Substitutes. 

Total,  93.  Grand  total,  159. 

Apparatus. 

8 Engines  in  active  service. 

1 Engine  in  reserve. 

1 Chemical  engine. 

S Hose-wagons. 

1 Four-wheel  hose-reel  in  reserve. 

3 Two-wheel  reels  in  reserve. 

3 Officers’  buggies. 

3 Fuel-wagons. 

40  Horses. 

21,750  feet  of  cotton  hose. 

250  feet  of  rubber  hose. 


35 


Pire-A!arrr\  Apparatus. 


The  system  comprises  one  hundred  and  forty-three  stations,  sixty-one 
of  which  are  private  ; twelve  still-alarm  boxes  located  in  the  several 
houses  of  the  Department,  over  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  mile  of  aerial 
wire,  twenty-five  electro-mechanical  gongs,  one  hundred  and  fifteen  direct- 
acting  tapper  gongs,  set  of  testing  instruments,  two  six-circuit  non-inter- 
fering repeaters,  eight  automatic  trips  for  releasing  horses,  twelve  large 
bells,  weighing  from  eight  hundred  to  thirteen  hundred  pounds,  with  five 
hundred  and  seventy-five  cells  gravity,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  cells 
Samson  battery  for  furnishing  electro -motive  force  for  the  general  working 
of  the  system. 

Location  of  Pire-Alarrr\  Boxes. 


12  Main  and  Ash  streets. 

13  Twelfth  and  Main  streets. 

14  Tenth  and  Byrd  streets. 

15  First  and  Cary  streets. 

16  Pine  and  Main  streets. 

17  Twenty-eighth  and  Leigh  streets. 

18  Grace,  near  Eighteenth  street. 

19  First  Police  Station. 

121  Penitentiary.  (P) 

123  Engine-House,  Denny  street. 

124  Engine-House,  Broad,  near  Ninth  street. 

125  Union  Depot.  (P) 

126  Richmond  Theatre.  (P) 

127  First  and  Broad  streets. 

128  Henry  and  Broad  streets. 

131  Fifteenth  and  Cary  streets. 

132  Little  Sisters  of  the  Poor.  (P) 

134  Mayo  and  Franklin  streets. 

135  Grove  avenue  and  Beech  street. 

136  Adams  and  Franklin  streets. 

21  Twenty-fifth  and  Venable  streets. 

23  Seventeenth  and  Marshall  streets. 

24  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railway  Shops  (P) 

25  Seventh,  near  Canal. 

26  Fifth  and  Main  streets. 

27  Seventh  and  Franklin  streets. 

28  Richmond  Locomotive  and  Machine  Works. 

29  Main  and  Monroe  streets. 

213  Ninth  and  Main  streets. 

214  Rountree’s  Trunk  Factory.  (P) 


(P) 


215 

216 

217 

218 

219 

3 

31 

32 

34 

35 

36 

37 

38 

39 

312 

313 

314 

315 

316 

317 

318 

4 

41 

42 

43 

45 

46 

47 

48 

49 

5 

51 

52 

53 

54 

56 

57 

58 

59 

61 

62 

63 

64 

65 

67 


Kinney  Branch  American  Tobacco  Company.  (P) 
Fifth  and  Broad  streets. 

Almshouse  (Colored).  (P) 

Second  and  Bates  streets. 

Seventeenth  and  Dock  streets. 

Second  Police  Station. 

Fourteenth  and  Main  streets. 

Twenty-fifth  and  Main  streets. 

Thirteenth  and  Cary  streets. 

City  Almshouse.  (P) 

Seventh  and  Arch  streets. 

Rowe  and  Church  streets. 

Leigh  and  Judah  streets. 

Governor  and  Franklin  streets. 

Twenty-eighth  and  Dock  streets. 

Beverly  and  Randolph  streets. 

Fifteenth  and  Poplar  streets. 

Washington  and  Cary  streets. 

Twenty-second  and  Church-Hill  avenue. 

Seventh  and  Broad  streets. 

Canal  and  Jefferson  streets. 

Third  Police  Station. 

Ninth  and  Leigh  streets. 

Broad  street  and  Jail  alley. 

Spring  and  Pine  streets. 

St.  James  and  Duval  streets. 

Engine-House,  Twenty-fifth  street. 

Richmond  Cedar  Works.  (P) 

Twenty-ninth  and  Grace  streets. 

Seventeenth  and  Washington  streets. 
Engine-House,  Third  street. 

Engine-House,  Cary,  near  Ninth  street. 

Clay  and  Gilmer  streets. 

Main  and  Nicholson  streets. 

Main  and  Harvie  streets. 

Reservoir  and  Chaffin  streets. 

Harrison  and  Leigh  streets. 

Twenty-ninth  and  O streets. 

St.  John  and  Coutts  streets. 

Twelfth  street,  between  Canal  and  Byrd  streets. 
Third  and  Byrd  streets. 

Fifth  and  Duval  streets. 

Second  and  Leigh  streets. 

Broad  and  Hancock  streets. 

Venable  and  Mosby  streets. 

37 


68 

69 

7 

71 

72 

73 

74 

75 

76 

78 

79 

712 

713 

714 

715 

8 

81 

82 

83 

84 

85 

86 

87 

89 

812 

813 

814 

815 

816 

817 

821 

823 

824 

825 

826 

827 

831 

832 

834 

835 

836 

837 

841 

842 

843 


Seventeenth  and  Lownes  streets. 

Seventh  and  Preston  streets. 

Engine-House,  Main,  near  Twentieth. 

Twelfth  street,  near  Clay. 

Nineteenth  and  Cary  streets. 

Twentieth  and  Broad  streets. 

Engine-House,  Laurel  street. 

Brook  avenue  and  Calhoun  street. 

Williamsburg  avenue  and  Louisiana  street. 

Thirty-first  and  Broad  streets. 

Twenty-fourth  and  M streets. 

Wright’s  Tobacco  Factory.  (P) 

C.  & O.  Elevator.  (P) 

St.  Luke’s  Home.  (P) 

Cullingworth’s  Tobacco  Factory.  (P) 

Academy  of  Music.  (P) 

Mayo’s  Factory,  Seventh  street.  (P) 

Allen  & Ginter  Branch  American  Tobacco  Company.  (P) 
Shops  James  River  Division  Chesapeake  & Ohio  Railway.  (P) 
Tredegar  Iron  Works.  (P) 

Albemarle  Paper  Company.  (P) 

F.  Sitterding.  (P) 

Richmond  Chemical  Works.  (P) 

Exposition  Building.  (P) 

Female  Humane  Association.  (P) 

Friends’  Colored  Orphan  Asylum.  (P) 

Protestant  Episcopal  Church  Home.  (P) 

Retreat  for  the  Sick.  (P) 

Spring-Street  Home.  (P) 

St.  Joseph’s  Orphan  Asylum.  (P) 

St.  Paul’s  Church  Home.  (P) 

St.  Paul’s  Church  Home  for  Aged  Women.  (P) 

Baptist  Home  for  Aged  Women.  (P) 

Sheltering  Arms.  (P) 

Richmond  Home  for  Ladies.  (P) 

Richmond  High  School.  (P) 

Madison  School.  (P) 

West-End  School.  (P) 

Elba  School.  (P> 

Leigh  School.  (P ) 

Central  School.  (P) 

Marshall  School.  (P) 

Bellevue  School.  (P) 

Springfield  School.  (P) 

Nicholson  School.  (P) 


38 


845  Colored  High  and  Normal  School.  (P) 

846  Baker  School.  (P) 

847  Navy  Hill  School.  (P) 

851  Valley  School.  (P) 

852  East-End  School.  (P) 

853  Moore  School.  (P) 

854  Brook  School.  (P) 

861  Richmond,  Fredericksburg  and  Potomac  Railroad  Shops.  (P) 

862  Butler  & Bosher.  (P) 

863  Hasker  & Marcuse  Co.  (P) 

864  Kanawha  Warehouse.  (P) 

865  Times  Building.  (P) 

867  Cameron  & Cameron.  (P) 

871  James  N.  Boyd.  (Pj 

872  Millhiser’s  Bag  Factory.  (P) 

873  J.  B.  Pace  Tobacco  Co.  (P) 

874  Pace  Block,  Eighth  and  Main  streets.  (P) 

Note. — (P)  indicates  that  the  boxes  are  private,  and  are  only  to  be 
used  in  case  of  fire  in  building  in  which  they  are  located. 


39 


QUARTERS  TWENTY-FIFTH  STREET  NEAR  BROAD  STREET. 


Roster  Rich\rr\oqd  Fire  Department,  1594. 

W.  G.  Puller,  Chief. 

W.  H.  Thompson,  Superintendent  Fire  Alarm. 

George  C.  Shaw,  First  Assistant  Chief. 

E.  T.  Snead,  Second  Assistant  Chief. 

George  E.  Paynter,  Assistant  Superintendent  Fire  Alarm,  at,d  Sec- 
retary  of  Department. 

FrRE  Alarm  Office  Force. 

A.  Stephan,  Foreman  of  Construction. 

T.  W.  Bowry,  Lineman. 

P.  G.  Minor,  Lineman. 


41 


STEAM  FIRE  ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  1. 


Members. 

Position. 

J.  H.  Redwood  . . 

. . Captain  at  call. 

John  Mackie  . . . 

. . Engineer — permanent. 

Charles  0.  Goode  . 

. . Helper  “ 

E.  M.  Ball 

. . Hostler  “ 

W.  B.  Smith  . . . 

. . Extra  station  man — permanent 

Adam  Schmidt  . . 

. . Hoseman  at  call. 

R.  A.  Woodward  . 
J.  W.  Woodward  . 
Oscar  Epps  .... 
E.  L.  Powell  . . 
Henry  Schmidt  . . 

J.  S.  Gary 

G.  B.  Jones  ... 
L.  H.  Hazelwood 

. . Su'o-hoseman  at  call. 

STEAM 

FIRE  ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  2. 

Members. 

Position. 

R.  H.  Figg  . . 

S.  Bailey  . . . 

. Engineer — permanent. 

A.  C.  Ellington 

. . . . Helper  “ 

G.  W.  Wade  . 

. . . Hostler  *• 

J.  F.  Ratio  . . 

. . . Extra  station  man — permanent 

S.  M.  Chaisa 

. . . . Hoseman  at  call. 

W.  A.  Dawson  . 

. . . . 

F.  P.  Fletcher . 

. . . . 

H.  W.  Carter  . 

H.  C.  Hall  . . 

. . . . 

Joseph  Gill  . . 

“ “ 

E.  C.  Haalce . . 

A.  S.  Duke  . . 

. . . . Sub-hoseman  at  call. 

42 


STEAM  FIRE  ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  3. 


Members. 

Position. 

William  Kanary  . 

D.  M.  O'Brien  . . . 
C.  A.  Burbank  . . 

P.  H.  Kesler  .... 
W.  M.  Hays  .... 
G.  W.  Lee 

E.  H.  Harris  . . 

A.  S.  Dunkley  . . . 
G.  W.  Selph  . . 
Joseph  Heftley  . . .. 
John  S.  Smith  . . . 
J.  C.  Carter  .... 

. Captain  at  call. 

. Engineer — permanent. 

. Helper  “ 

. Hostler  “ 

. Extra  station  man — permanent 
. Hoseman  at  call. 

R.  L.  Cardwell  . . . 
R.  C.  Timberlake  . . 

. Sub-hoseman  at  call. 

STEAM  FIRE  ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  4. 


Members. 

Position. 

O.  F.  Wise  .... 
John  Miller  .... 
W.  H.  Garthright  . 
H.  C.  Rhodes  . . . 

. Captain  at  call. 

. Engineer — permanent. 
. Helper  “ 

. Hostler  “ 

J.  J Williams  . . 
J.  W.  Atkinson  . . 
E.  P.  Crump  . . . 
C.  F.  Hagner  . . . 
C.  M.  Meyer  . . . 
G.  C.  Merrydew  . . 
C.  H.  Whitlock  . . 
L.  T.  Pemberton  . 

. Extra  station  man — permanent. 
. Hoseman  at  call. 

M.  M.  Ellmore  . . 
H.  E.  Richardson  . 

, Sub-hoseman  at  call. 

43 


STEAM  FIRE  ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  5. 


Members.  Position. 


W.  H.  Joynes  . . 

. Captain  at  call. 

H.  J.  Schlosser  . 

Engineer — permanent. 

.T.  B.  Joynes  . . 

. Helper  “ 

R.  W.  Crafton  . 

. Hostler  “ 

J.  F.  Kersey  .... 

. Extra  station  man — permanent. 

C.  C.  Frommer  . 

. 

E.  E.  Franck,  Jr.  . 

. Hoseman  at  call. 

R.  R.  Milliken  . 

C.  P.  Clarke  .... 

C.  T.  Point  . . 

M.  Kelley 

J.  N.  Heffley  .... 

W.  J.  Lucas  ... 

“ “ 

H.  L.  Layne  .... 

. Sub-hoseman  at  call. 

W.  H.  Kelley  .... 

“ 

STEAM  FIRE 

ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  0. 

Members. 

Position. 

A.  R.  Lawrence  . . . 

. Captain  at  call. 

J.  J.  Schlosser  . . . 

. Engineer — permanent. 

R.  L.  Gilman  .... 

. Helper 

J.  S.  Walters  .... 

. Hostler  “ 

M.  H.  Mitchell  . . . 

. Extra  station  man — permanent. 

L.  C.  Minor 

. Hoseman  at  call. 

E.  Petrochilli  .... 

J.  A.  Skinner  .... 

. 

J.  B.  Brown  .... 

. 

A.  C.  Liggon  .... 

. 

"William  Easley  . . . 

. 

J.  A.  Drake 

. Sub-hoseman  at  call. 

S.  Steinburg  . . . 

. 

45 


STEAM  FIRE  ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  7. 


Members. 


Position. 


•T.  E.  Walthall  . . 
H.  W.  Taylor  . . 

,T.  .T.  Loterzo  . 

C.  B.  Gilman  . . 

S.  R.  Perdue  . . . . 
Joseph  Luchenburg  . 


Captain  at  call. 

Engineer — permanent. 

Hostler  “ 

Extra  station  man — permanent 

Hoseman  at  call. 


R.  H.  Trice “ “ 

.T.  H.  Parsons  ...  “ “ 

F.  D.  Talley  ... 

W.  L.  Wallace  . 

H.  T.  Miller  ... 

A.  F.  Carleton  . . . Sub-hoseman  at  call. 

B.  S.  Holt 


STEAM  FIRE  ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  8. 


Members. 


Position. 


G.  M.  Rogers Captain  at  call. 

T.  H.  Weimer  ....  Engineer — permanent. 

.1.  T.  Grubbs Helper  “ 

J.  W.  Neagle  . . . Hostler  “ 

W.  H.  Sears Extra  station  man — permanent. 

H.  W.  Mays Hoseman  at  call. 

W.  C.  Gayle “ 


W.  H.  Childress  . 
T.  H.  Davis  . . . . 
W.  B.  Christian  . . 

C.  H.  Smith  . . . . 


Walter  Wood  .... 
C,  L.  Gullett  . . . . 


Sub-hoseman  at  call. 


46 


HOOK  AND  LADDER  TRUCK  COMPANY  No.  1. 

Members.  Position. 

L.  W.  Dorset Captain  at  call. 

C.  H.  Reintz Tillerman — permanent. 

N.  B.  Dunford  ....  Hostler  “ 

E.  J.  Bradley  . . . Ladderman  at  call. 

C.  E.  Flippen “ “ 

J.  S.  Smith “ “ 

G.  Richardson  ....  “ “ 

O.  Knight “ “ 

W.  L.  Smith “ “ 

B.  T.  Talley “ 

J.  P.  Angel “ “ 

P.  R.  Phillips “ ,l 

P.  G.  Randolph  ....  Sub-laddermen  at  call. 

G.  T.  Snead “ “ 


HOOK  AND  LADDER  TRUCK  COMPANY  No.  2. 


Members. 

C.  S.  Atkinson  . 
J.  H.  Greaner,  Jr. 

F.  Low 

R.  B.  Goodman  . 
E.  C.  Hicks  . . . 
J.  V.  Haake  . . 

D. C.  Ellett.  . . 
A.  P.  Tyree  . . . 
L.  T.  Miller  . . . 
J.  H.  Seawell  . . 
J.  S.  Wooldridge 
J.  T.  Goddin  . . 
H.  W.  Clarke  . . 
W.  B.  Shaw  . 
W.  B.  Clarke  . . 


Position. 

Captain  at  call. 

Tillerman— permanent. 

Hostler  “ 

Extra  station  man — permanent. 
Ladderman  at  call. 


Sub-ladderman  at  call. 


47 


HOOK  AND  LADDER  TRUCK  COMPANY  No.  3. 


Members. 

A.  V.  Shelton  . . . 

G.  R.  Shewbridge  . 
J.  W.  Weimer  . . . 
A.  J.  Hundley  . . 
W.  B.  Russe . . 

A.  B.  Cook  . . 

C.  A.  Rawson  . . . 
J.  A.  Umlauf  . 

W.  W.  Haley  . . . 
.J.  M.  Sack  .... 
E.  M.  McCormack  . 

H.  B.  Hubbard  . . 
L.  A.  Umlauf  . . . 


Position. 
Captain  at  call. 
Tillerman — permanent. 
Hostler  “ 

Ladderman  at  call. 


Sub-ladderman  at  call. 


CHEMICAL  ENGINE  COMPANY  No.  I. 


Members. 
Warwick  Epps 
R.  W.  Stubs  . 


Position 

Foreman. 

Driver. 


-IS 


Slpe  portraiture  of  tipis  Volunpe  is  fronp  tlpe  Studio  of 


IRo.  112  IRortb  IRtntb  Street, 


IRicbmonfc,  Da. 


49 


SttOCKOE 

•a#-- 

MILLS — - ^ 

WARNER 
MOORE 
& CO., 

RICHMOND,  VA. 


Importers  of  Hova  Scotia  Lamp,  and 

Manufacturers  of  Pare  Srsand  Plaster. 

DEALERS  IN 

Fine  Bolted  Corn  Meal  (Water  Ground), 
Rockland  and  Anchor  Lime, 
Cement.  Calcined  Plaster, 

Laths,  Plasterers’  Hair, 

Fire  Bricks.  Sewer  Pipe,  &c. 


J.  W.  WHITEHURST, 

MANUFACTURER  OF 


SASH.  .'BLINDS,  '.DOORS 


AND  INTERIOR  trimings. 


10TH  AMD  BYRD  STS.  RICHMOND.  VA 


JAMES  W.  CARR, 

MANUFACTURER  CF 

Flower  • vases  • and  • Settees, 

Iron  Mantels,  Fronts.  Grates,  Fenders,  &c. 

Proprietor  Richmond  Electro-Plating  Works,  the  only  first-class  plating  works  in 
the  South,  SILVER,  NICKEL,  BRASS  and  BRONZE  WORK.  Special  attention 
to  polishing  and  lacquering  Chandeliers  and  re-plating  Old  Table  Ware. 

Cor.  18th  and  Cary  Streets,  : RICHMOND,  VA. 


50 


Agency  for  Virginia  Springs  Water. 
Orders  Promptly  Executed 


PURCELL,  LADD  A C0„ 

Wholesale 

5 Covernor  Street 
RICHMOND,  k/M. 


DEALERS  IN 

PAINTS  OILS,  DYES  AND  VARNISHES, 


Kerosene  Oil  by  the  Barrel  or  Car  Load. 

IF  YOU  DESIRE  THE  VERY  FINEST  CHEWING 
TOBACCO,  ASK  FOR  ONE  OF 

T.C.  WILLIAMS  COMPANY’S 

MAY  APPLE,  LUCY  HINTON, 

NOSEGAY,  MATTAPONI, 

JACK  SPRATT,  CHAMP  CARTER. 


Factories  at  Richmond,  Va. 

THE  FOURQUREAN-PRICE  COMPANY, 

Broad  Street,  Corner  Fourth,  Richmond,  Va. 

High-Class  Silks.  Dress  Goods  and  Exclusive  Novelties  in  everything 
pertaining  to  Dry  Goods  and  Fancy  Goods. 


51 


The  Insurance  Agency  of  ...  . 


T.  h.  fihp^IEHD, 


„1203  E.  Main  St  , Richmond.  Va 


Fire,  marine  Accident,  • • 

• Boiler- Explosion,  • • • 

• • Wind-Storm  and  Postal 

Written  in  the  hargest  $ Best  Companies  in  the  World 


Insurance 


manager  of  the  Washington  Ltife  Insurance  Co  of  Netu  York 
for  the  Virginias  and  l^orth  Carolina. 


Commenced  Business  in  1860. 

Assets,  $13,000,000. 

- n^i^i  Policy-holders,  $24,000,000. 

o • • • • 

The  Policies  of  the  Washington  are  Non-forfeitable,  Residence  and  Travel  Unre- 
stricted, and  Policies  Incontestable  after  two  years.  The  Washington  pays  claims  im- 
mediately on  receipt  of  satisfactory  proofs. 


HARDGROVE&GO.. 

Manufacturers  of  the  following 

Popular  Brands  Tobaccos: 

M.  Ward. 

Peach.  || 

Fig. 

Indispensable. 
||  W.  Barrow. 
Sweet  Orange. 


E A.  CATLIN,  A.  B.  BLAIR, 

President.  Cashier. 

JAS.  R.  GORDON,  W.  A.  CRENSHAW, 

Vice-President.  Assistant  Cashier. 

SECURITY  BANK, 

1107  E.  Main  Street, 
RICHMOND,  - - VIRGINIA. 


Capital,  $200,000. 
Surplus,  - 40,000. 


INTENT  AIMED  ON  DEPOSITS, 


DO  A CENERAL 

Fire  Insurance  Easiness. 

BEST  FOREIGN  AND  AMERIGAN  O 
COMPANIES  REPRESENTED. 


52 


OLD  DOMINION 

STEAMSHIP  CO. 

Tri  Weekly  Line  for  New  York. 

LEAVE  RICHMOND  FOR  NEW  YORK— Tuesday, 
Wednesday,  and  Friday  at  5 P.  M. 

LEAVE  NEW  YORK  (via  Jam°s-river  roule)— Monday, 
Wednesday,  and  Saturday  at  j P.  M. 

LEAVE  NEW  YORK— Monday,  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and 
Saturday,  connecting  at  Old  Point  Comfort  with  C.  & O.  R'y,  or  at  Norfolk  with  N.  & W.  R.  R. — 

ARRIVING  IN  RICHMOND— Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Sat- 
urday Evening. 

Cabin  fare  to  New  York  (including  meals  and  berth)  via  James-river  route, $ 9 00 

Round-trip  tickets,  limited  to  thirty  days  after  date  of  issue, 14  00 

Cabin  fare  via  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Ra  lway  and  Richmond  and  Petersburg  Railroad  (tickets  limited 

to  four  days) 9 00 

Round-trip  tickets  (limited  to  thirty  days) 14  00 

Tickets  can  be  obtained  at  Richmond  Transfer  Company’s,  901  East  Main  street ; Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
and  Richmond  and  Petersburg  depots,  and  at  the  Company’s  Office,  1301  Main  street,  and  from  all  important 
ticket  offices  throughout  the  South. 

Passengers  leaving  Richmond  on  Mondays,  Tuesdays,  Wednesdays,  Thursdays,  and  Saturdays  by  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railway  (via  Newport  News),  and  by  the  Richmond  and  Petersburg  railroad  (same 
days)  will  make  connection  at  Norfolk  with  steamer  leaving  those  days. 

GEO.  W.  ALLEN  & CO.,  Agents. 


No.  1801  Mciiji  St.,  and  Company’ s Wharf , Rochetts. 


BOSTON,  MASS, 

MANUFACTURERS  OF 


BAY-STATE  JACKET,  HARVARD  JACKET,  XXXX  KNIT  JACKET 

COTTON  FIRE  HOSE, 

ALSO 

FEATHER-WEIGHT  RUBBER  FIRE  HOSE 

AND 

Pire  D@partrr\er\t  Supplies. 

ALL  GOODS  FULLY  WARRANTED. 


COURTNEY’S  SUPPLY  COMPANY, 


SOUTHERN  SALES  AGENTS, 

1433  East  Main  Street,  Richmond,  Va. 


53 


MURPHY’S  HOTEL— THE  LEADING  HOTEL  IN  THE  CITY. 

AMERICAN  AND  EUROPEAN  PLAN. 


JOHN  MURPHY,  Owner  and  Prop’r. 
W.  J.  HEINX,  Chief  Clerk. 


RICHMOND.  VM 


J)  ce3  jfoi  Make  YouNervow 

W.  J.  YARBROUCH  & SONS 

RICHMOND,  VA. 


If  you  have  not 

tried  this  Tobacco,  we 
would  suggest  your 
doing  so,  as  we  can  re- 
commend it  with  en- 
tire confidence  as  be- 
ing absolutely  of  the 
very  best  quality,  and 
a mild,  pleasant  chew. 


54 


■'sK7\  McBAIN  <3c  CO., 


Paint  and  Vsirnish  Makers, 

Richmond,  Virginia. 


Our  Specialties:  “PERFECTION”  ROOF  PAINTS  in  four 
colors — Yellow,  Red,  Maroon,  Black. 

PRICE:  Barrels,  fifty  gallons,  50  cents  per  gallon;  Packages,  twenty- five  to  thirty  gal- 
lons, 55  cents  per  gallon  ; Packages,  five  to  fifteen  gallons,  60  cents  per  gallon. 

Holloway  Chemical  Fire  Engines. 


Rand  Fire- Extinguishers,  Hook- and- Ladder 
Trucks , Hose  Wagons  Hose  Carriages , 
Fire  Department  Supplies. 

CHARLES  T.  HOLLOWAY. 

BALTIMORE,  MARYLAND. 

ORGANIZED  I S3  2.  ■- 


INSURANCE  COMPANY, 

Home  Office,  No.  1015  Main  Street,  Richmond,  Virginia. 

INSURES  AGAINST  FIRE  AND  LIGHTNING.  HALF  A CENTURY 
IN  ACTIVE  AND  SUCCESSFUL  OPERATION. 


55 


WATCH-DOG? 


£ o i 

:s  c t 

§••2  -c 
x u = 


J2 

I/)  •— 


C/0 

c 

r a/ 


i»  — 


s is  C 


Oi  £ o 


i_  D 
O 


Z '5  > 

5 ft 

3 § j 

Z | 5 

M « „- 

a t i 

« i 

S §? 


JD  (L> 

C/2  <T‘ 


m o> 

s E 


l^USE  OIJR  CELEBRATED  STEAM-DRIED 

KINDLING  WOOD. 


$1.50  PEE  LOAD  ODE  HALF  OODEID 

RICHMOND  CEDAR  WORKS. 

ARTHUR  L.  PLEASANTS.  ’PHONE  114.  CHAS.  S.  CRENSHAW. 

PLEASANTS  & CRENSHAW, 

(Successors  to  GEO.  D.  PLEASANTS  & SON,) 

INSURANCE, 

1104*  MAIN  STREET, 

RICHMOND,  - VIRGINIA. 

LOSSES  PROMPTLY  ADJUSTED  AND  PAID  AT  THIS  OFFICE 

W.  T.  HANCOCK, 

MANUFACTURER  OF 

MiLRITANA,  ZDTT^AEEEF  ECSES, 

AND  OTHER  FINE  SUN-CURED 

•^TOBHCCOS^ 

RICHMOND.  VA. 


Goods  Made  to  Order  in  any  Style. 


56 


The  Leading  Sewing  Machine 

■ate. 

^ Manufacturers  of  the  World.  ^ 

■a-  twelve  fllMllton  flDacbincs  flftafre  artfr  Solfr.  *•[«$• 

“ THE  SEVEN  DRAWER  IS  OUR  FAVORITE.” 


$ 


E 

O 

<U 

c 

a) 

> 

a> 

CO 

■D 

E 

(8 

■a 

<d 

!_ 

■a 

E 

3 

I 

<U 

S_ 

o 


Sold  on  Easy  Monthly  Payments. 


• • • • • 

® o • 


The  Singer  Manufacturing  Go.. 

205  East  Broad  Street, 

+ •••  + RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA. 


CENTRAL  OFFICE  FOR  SOUTHEASTERN  STATES. 


C.  G.  LAMBERT,  Gen’ I Agent. 


57 


Three  of  the  Leading  Machines 


W.  A.  BARRETT. 


W.  M.  KEESEE. 


Fine  Work  and  Repairs  a Specialty. 

Barrett  & Keesee  Machine  Works, 

ELEVENTH  STREET,  Between  MAIN  and  CARY, 

•pHoNE647.  RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA. 

REVERE  RUBBER  COMPANY, 

Manufacturers  of 

High-Class  Mechanical  Rubber  Goods, 

COTTOS  AID  RUBBEfi  WEE  HOSE, 


Dealers  in  Fire  Department  Supplies. 

— — stores  — 

63  FRANKLIN  STREET,  Boston  Mass., 

61  READE  STREET,  New  York,  N.  Y., 

74  PEARL  STREET,  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 

2 and  4 WOOD  STREET,  Pittsburgh,  Pa., 

210  NICOLLET  AVE.,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

150  LAKE  STREET,  Chicago,  111., 

505  North  FOURTH  STEEET,  St.  Louis  Mo., 

70  and  72  CARONDELET  STREET,  New  Orleans,  La. 

527  MARKET  STREET,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

CAMERON  S CAWERON, 

RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA, 

WERE  AWARDED  THE 

Only  Prize  at  the  Columbian  Expositioa 

CHICAGO,  1893. 

FOR  CIGARETTES, 

Gold  Medal,  Straight  Cut,  and  Richmond  Club. 

Also  HRST  PRIZE  on  CUT  PLUG,  SMOKING  TOBACCO,  and  their 
Celebrated  Mixtures. 

MANUFACTURERS  OF 

Fine  Cheroots  and  All  Tobacco  Cigarettes. 


58 


JACKSON  BRANDT  & CO., 

Real  Estate  and  Loan  Brokers, 

1103  I3ast  /•Tain  Street, 
RICHMOND,  VA. 


PROMPT  ATTENTION  TO  ALL  BUSINESS  ENTRUSTED  TO  US 


JACKSON  BRANDT,  President.  HOWARD  SWINEFORD,  Vice-President. 

EDWARD  HANEW INCKEE , Secretary  and  Treasurer. 


THE 

Finance  Trading  Company, 

1103  East  Main  Street,  RICHMOND,  VA. 

A SAFE  AND  CONSERVATIVE  MANAGEMENT  OF  INVESTMENTS  IN 
SMALL  OR  LARGE  AMOUNTS. 


Directors: — P.  H.  Mayo,  S.  H Hawes,  T.  Wm.  Pemberton,  Howard  Swineford, 
J.  N.  Cullingworth,  Geo.  Ross,  Edward  Hanewinckel,  Chas.  H.  Talbott,  Jackson  Brandt. 


HOWARD  SWINEFORD, 


VlVTCtWCF 


RICHMOND,  VA. 


For  nearly  thirty  years  has  represented  some  of  the  Largest,  Strongest, 
and  Best  American  and  English  Companies  doing  Life  and  Fire  Insurance. 


Particular  attention  of  all  insurers  is  invited  to 

THE  MUTUAL  LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  NEW  YORK, 

Accumulated  Cash  Assets,  $186,000,000. 

<1  ANNUAL  INCOME  OVER  FORTY  MILLION  DOLLARS. 


The  Royal,  Imperial,  Northern,  and  National  Fire  Insurance  Companies 
have  over  Eighty  Million  Dollars  as  security  for  policies  issued. 


59 


L 

U 


Our  Motto  Illustrated— “ Small  Prophets  and  Large  Sails." 


L 

U 


E 

R 


W.  MINOR  WOODWARD. 


STEWART  M.  WOODWARD. 


WOODWARD  & SON, 


Hard  Wood,  “Wl-^ite  Pir\e,  ar\d  Several 

JBiulbing  %umbcr, 

BX-iiisriDa  dooes,  dec.. 

Corner  Ninth  and  Byrd  Streets, 

RICHMOND,  VA. 


ip5?‘JThe  largest  stock  in  the  State.  Sheds  with  one  and  a half  million  feet  capacity. 


60 


Wervbeablf  YOUR  MEASURE 


as  we  have  purchased  all  the  Order 
. . Books  of  and  are  successors  to  . . 


FIVE  SHIRT  MAKERS. 


This  Man  is  Getting  Fits 


“ BISHOP, 

A'!dth'p!“'702  E.  MAIN  ST., 

Richmond,  Va. 


A Full  Liqe  of  Ready-Made  • • • 

. . Shirts,  Collars,  Cuffs,  &c. 


And  you  will  surely  get  A FIT— If  you  leave  your  order  for  SHIRTS  with  us. 


LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  VA. 

For  the  Year  Ending  December  3 1,1  893— Seven  Years  Growth. 

INCOME  : 

1887,  - $99,566.00. 

1888,  - $127,049.00 
18£9,  - $151,571.00. 

1890,  - $234,547.00. 

1891,  - $395,447.67. 

1892,  - $475,520  24. 

1893,  - $546,151.15. 

GROSS  INCOME-1893. £587,088.81. 

HOME  OFFICE-  R1GHMONI? , VA. 

G.  A.  CUAIjKER,  President.  JfimES  CU.  PEGRAfn,  Seeretary. 


S.  H.  Hawes  & Co., 

COAL, 


I 8th  and  Cary  Sts. 


RICHMOND,  VA. 


61 


E.  D.  HALEY, 

President. 


INCORPORATED  IN  1881. 

A.  D.  LANDERKIN, 

Sec’y,  Treas’r,  and  Sup’t 


RICHMOND  ICE  COmPHNY, 


WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL  DEALERS  IN 


Kennebec  Ice,  Coal  ana  Wood 

YARDS  AND  OFFICE  SEVENTEENTH  AND  DOCK  STREETS 

TELEPHONE  No.  223.  IR. I C K M O N D , ~\T  &L. 


RICHMOND  BREWERY  AND  HYGEIA  ICE  FACTORY. 


KERSTEN  & VON  N.  ROSEN EGK,  Richmond,  Va. 


WM.  H.  PALMER,  President.  E.  B.  ADDISON,  Vice-President.  J.  W.  SINTON,  Cashier. 

City  Bar\k  of  Ricf^rr^or^ 

RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA. 

CAPITAL.  ...  - HOG, 000.  SURPLUS.  - - - $ 100000 . 

Ifntercst  allowed  on  IDcpcsits  in  Savings  ^Department. 


WM.  H.  PALMER. 
GEO.  W.  ANDERSON. 
S.  H.  HAWES, 

I.  I).  CARDOZO, 

N.  W.  NELSON, 


IHNEGTORS 

E.  B.  ADDISON, 
.TAMES  TI  GRAY. 

A.  L.  HOLLADAY. 
WM.  JOSIAH  LEAKE, 
W.  R.  TRIGG, 


MOSES  MILLHISER, 
JAMES  N.  BOYD. 

J.  W.  BEYERIDGE. 
E.  T.  D.  MYERS. 

B.  B.  VALENTINE. 


62 


Don  t be  caught  sending 
your  Printing  out  of  Richmond 
tinless  you  first  try 


J.  L.  Hill  Printing  Company, 

Publishers  and  Printers, 


Nos.  9-11-13  N.  Twelfth  Street, 
RICHMOND,  VA. 


63 


THD 


<Cw? 


SDavte  $ Ibouee, 


<ij)l?irteentl?--Gr  overnor  and  Rran^lin  ^tneets, 

JOHN  C.  SMALL,  Proprietor. 

F.  HARRY  JETER,  Chief  Clerk. 


4 


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M-4 


Richmond, 


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